Duck hunting inquiry sparks mass tradie walk-off from Vic’s largest construction project

Hundreds of electricians stormed out of the Metro Tunnel project on Friday to “defend their right to . . . camping, boating, hunting, fishing”.

Victoria’s powerful sparkies’ union has staged a mass walk-off from the Metro Tunnel project, with 800 workers storming off the job to protest potential restrictions on duck hunting and other outdoor activities.

About midday on Friday, the Electrical Trades Union announced hundreds of members had walked off Victoria’s largest construction project.

The move was driven by the union’s Outdoor Recreation Advocacy Group and relates to concerns over government regulation of a number of activities enjoyed by its members.

But the Andrews government’s move to hold a parliamentary inquiry into duck hunting is understood to have triggered the decision to make a bold statement.

The protest was sparked by concerns over government regulation of a number of activities enjoyed by ETU members. Picture: Facebook

The ETU has also flagged a potential public campaign.

“They (the 800 Metro Tunnel union members) came together to defend their right to enjoy their outdoor lifestyle and activities such as camping, boating, hunting, fishing etc,” a post on the union’s Facebook page says.

“Recent Government decisions effecting (sic) these activities not based on scientific facts or statistics have angered many!

“Countless ETU members not to mention members from other unions and members of community and sporting groups have contacted the ETU seeking support and leadership to defend our right to sustainable outdoor recreation.

“It is our history, it is our heritage, it is our culture, it must be protected.”

When the inquiry was first announced, the ETU put out a statement alongside other construction unions saying they firmly supported access to outdoor activities such as duck shooting.

They said although the practice could be divisive, they believed it could be done sustainably and humanely.

The ETU initially put out a statement when the inquiry was first announced. Picture: Facebook

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who has led the charge to ban duck shooting in Victoria, slammed the protest.

“As a former union official, and proud union member, there are so many other issues that are legitimately affecting working Victorians and this is not one of them,” she said.

“Outdoor recreation is not under threat, never has been and never will be.

“I am one of the many Victorians who also enjoys outdoor recreation and the Animal Justice Party is not pushing for an end to camping, boating or other outdoor activities.

“We are simply asking for the blood sport of duck shooting to be ended just as most other states did decades ago in order to protect native wildlife, and when this happened there was no impact on other recreational activities.

“I hope that Daniel Andrews remembers that the average union member in Victoria is a woman in her 50s, which is the cohort that overwhelmingly supports animal protection and does not fall for this standover tactic.”

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria MP Jeff Bourman said:

“It is a pity they had to interrupt something as important as the Metro Tunnel but it shows how much outdoor activities mean to people,” he said.

“The recent poor decisions based on political pressure from the animal rights activities is not representative of the views of wider society.”

800 sparkies walk off Metro Tunnel over duck hunting restrictions. Picture: Facebook

In a statement, an ETU spokesman said the union was also considering a ban on weekend overtime unless the government showed support for outdoor hobbies.

“The meeting addressed the recent decisions on duck and quail season which was seen by many to be like the canary in the coal mine when it comes to banning the outdoor recreation that many of us enjoy,” he said.

“These decisions were not based on scientific facts or statistics and demonstrates utter contempt for the outdoor lifestyle enjoyed by ETU members and many other blue-collar workers.

“ It is part of our history, it is part of our heritage, it is our culture - Workers must have access to the great outdoors and the lifestyle they love in a regulated and sustainable manner.

“Our eye is on the target to fight and campaign to maintain our way of life!”

A government spokesman said: “We understand our big build partners are in discussions to ensure there is not a significant impact to our metro tunnel projects.”He added that significant investments had been made to ensure Victorians could enjoy outdoor activities.