Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, claimed in parliament today that the only plan behind the relaxation of restrictions on native bird culling was to save state government paperwork.

"The old permit system has been abolished for some time and still we see no monitoring of bird populations and insufficient support for alternative strategies to prevent crop damage," said Mr Elliott outside of parliament.

"This shows that saving paperwork was the reason for removing permits and only community pressure in the lead-up to the election has convinced the government to re-consider its position.

"Despite independent experts warning about the complex issues associated with bird culling, the state government has only just started considering the need for independent data on the impact of its open slather policy on native birds.

"If the state government is serious about protecting endangered birds it would place an immediate cap on native bird culling until independent research had been completed.

"With an election looming the Environment Minister, like a chameleon, is trying to look green.

"However, the continuation of the bird cull in the Adelaide Hills just confirms that the naming of the Greater Adelaide Hills National Park is only about appearances.

"If the Minister is to have any green credibility at all he must step in to show that he puts the future survival of our native bird species before resource cuts and media stunts."