Wildlife coalition calls for urgent review of Victoria’s duck shooting laws
An alliance of wildlife groups calls on the state government to honour its commitment to overhaul duck-shooting laws in Victoria.
Victoria
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A coalition of 43 wildlife and conservation groups is calling on the state government to honour its commitment to review the state’s annual duck-shooting season.
The group, which includes Wildlife Victoria and Environment Victoria, says recreational native waterbird shooting was irresponsible, unsustainable and risky.
A letter to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said Victoria needed to ban the shooting season in line with all other states.
At its conference last November State Labor promised to review the controversial activity. The party supports “safe, responsible and sustainable hunting” and recognises it as a valid recreational activity.
Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting spokeswoman Kerrie Allen said the number of groups backing the cause reflected widespread opposition to the activity.
“It’s time the Victorian Labor Party listened to its constituents instead of pandering to a loud minority who like to shoot our dwindling numbers of native birds for fun.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Symes said the Animal Welfare Action Plan outlines the government’s support for animal industries and activities, such as agriculture, sport, research and invasive species management – as well as recreation like hunting and fishing.
“Public consultation has commenced on a Directions Paper detailing proposals for a new Animal Welfare Act – a key action under the plan.’’
The paper is seeking feedback on how welfare standards would apply to hunting and fishing, she said.
The Game Management Authority was established in 2014 to manage and regulate game hunting in Victoria.
Field & Game Australia chief executive Dean O’Hara said the group was working with governments to help make decisions based on facts and evidence.
“Our reputation as ethical and sustainable hunters allows FGA to be respected stakeholders and therefore enables us to prosecute our argument for consideration,’’ Mr O’Hara said.
“Nobody has a stronger passion or desire to sustain/improve habitat for waterfowl than hunters.
“The passion FGA members have demonstrated over the past 60 years is clear evidence of the value we put on the wetland environments, it was the driving force behind our very existence as an organisation back in 1958 and remains our number one focus today.’’
Wildlife Victoria chief executive Megan Davidson said it was a mystery why the small duck-shooting fraternity had such a hold on government.
“The arguments for ceasing this anachronistic activity are compelling.
“I would like to see an annual “birding” festival promoted in key wetland areas of regional Victoria to replace the existing duck season. This would certainly be a much bigger economic benefit to regional communities than the annual duck killing season.’’