Vic electricians vow Metro Tunnel, West Gate walkout under duck hunting ban

Victoria’s Big Build projects could be put on hold if the state government bans duck hunting, with hundreds in the Electrical Trades Union threatening to down tools.

Members of Victoria’s powerful sparkies’ union have voted to ramp up the campaign against a duck shooting ban, agreeing to down tools and halt work on major infrastructure projects if the state government outlaws native bird hunting.

In a meeting of 300 Electrical Trades Union members from the Metro Trains Infrastructure on Tuesday, the room formally agreed to walk off job sites if the state government called the 2024 season off.

“At this fully energised meeting they … agreed that should the Andrew’s Government BAN DUCK HUNTING, they will unite and join other disgruntled workers on the Government’s big build projects in downing their tools and WALKING OFF!” said an ETU Victorian branch online post.

State secretary Troy Gray confirmed to the Herald Sun that the campaign against a duck shooting ban was gaining momentum.

Pressure is mounting on the Victorian government to ban duck hunting. Picture: Brad Fleet

Another meeting will be held on Thursday where a resolution will be put to more members.

“At this stage, the major infrastructure jobs have voted to walk off if (the government) do ban it,” Mr Gray said.

“So that’s the West Gate and the Metro underground tunnels. In total, that’s well over 1000 sparkies.

“That’s been joined by some of the workplaces down in the valley and yesterday, and now the Metro Trains Infrastructure members voted to do it. “That’s over 380 members who keep the trains going. If the duck hunting ban is brought in everyone will immediately walk off and attend a protest rally that the unions will call.”

Mr Gray said a mass walk off would have huge ramifications for projects across the state and he called on the Labor leadership to not outlaw the practice.

ETU Victorian secretary Troy Gray said more than 1000 electricians will walk off the job. Picture: Julian Smith

Wide public support for duck hunting has been falling in recent years, and there is mounting pressure on the government to outlaw the annual hunt.

Internally, members of the Labor cabinet have also voiced their distaste for the practice with some publicly supported ending duck hunting across the state.

Earlier this month the Herald Sun revealed a key parliamentary inquiry was set to recommend a total ban on recreational duck hunting on private and public land commencing in 2024.

Government sources said also have revealed that a ban was close in 2022 but the plan was derailed because of the election and the threats made by unions such as the ETU.

Earlier this year, the ETU union walked from the Metro Tunnel project, with 800 workers storming off the job to protest potential restrictions on duck hunting, and other outdoor activities.

The final report from the truck hunting inquiry was due to be tabled by August 31.