Surprise twist on stopping serial pests causing havoc in Victoria

A controversial plan to stop serial pests has hit a surprising hurdle and could soon come crashing down. Here’s why.

The controversial culling of wild brumbies in Victoria’s northeast could come to an end if the Liberals are elected at the next election.

The change would see a shift in focus to rehoming and veterinary intervention for population management from Labor’s eradication plan.

Nationals leader Peter Walsh said his party was supportive of the Liberals’ plan to keep the horses in Victoria’s Eastern Alps and Bogong High Plains.

“We agree with the tens of thousands of Victorians who believe brumby populations can be managed without cruel methods or total eradication,” he said.

“Labor’s approach doesn’t deliver good outcomes for the environment, with abandoned carcasses that are left to rot only serving to feed up destructive and vicious pest animals, like wild dogs.

A group gathers outside Parliament House in Melbourne to protest against the upcoming cull of brumbies in Victoria's High Country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“Only a change in government in November will deliver a humane, sustainable approach to population management of an iconic animal with strong and enduring ties to Australia’s modern history.”

However, Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio rubbished the Opposition’s claims, describing the policy as “reckless”.

“We know that feral horses do not have a place in these pristine environments,” she said.

“The opposition’s policy is simply a recipe for destroying everything that is special and unique about Victoria’s environment.

“It is also very reckless and has no regard, even for the health of these feral horses. The fact is, not all of them are in good shape.”

Dozens of protesters gathered on the steps of parliament on Wednesday to protest the governmet’s policy.

Wild brumbies in the Victorian High Country.

Parks Victoria said Alpine regions of the state were being environmentally damaged by the number of brumbies in the area.

“The damage they cause is evident. Parks Victoria needs to respond to the current situation with the best techniques available,” the agency said.

There are believed to be up to 5000 wild brumbies in the Alpine National Park with between 150 and 200 being culled each year.