Licence to kill: ‘Tick and flick’ wombat-shooting permits slammed

Victorian landowners can obtain permits to shoot troublesome wombats in less than 24 hours in what has been slammed as a “tick and flick” exercise.

Permits to shoot and kill wombats are being handed out to Victorians at rapid speed with little to no checks and balances in place, wildlife advocates warn.

As the nation raged at an American influencer who snatched a baby wombat from its mother for a cruel social media post, the Herald Sun can reveal that landowners are receiving kill permits from the state's Conservation Regulator within 24 hours of applying online.

While native wildlife is protected in Victoria, people can obtain a permit to kill, trap or move on a destructive animal.

In 2023, more than 1900 wombats were authorised to be slaughtered.

US influencer Sam Jones with the baby wombat. Picture: Instagram

It’s unclear how many were killed, with wildlife groups warning that there is no follow up from authorities.

In one recent case, authorities approved a person’s request to kill two wombats at their property despite not conducting any property or background checks to determine whether the applicant held a valid gun licence.

The Conservation Regulator only asked for evidence of property damage, but didn’t verify that it had been caused by a wombat.

Victorians can apply for permits to kill troublesome wombats causing damage on their property. Picture: Mark Stewart

The applicant, who is a contact of Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell and was trying to highlight how easy it was to obtain a permit, had instead attached a photo of dirt that had been kicked up by another animal.

A Victorian government spokeswoman said it is a “serious offence to provide false or misleading information” to obtain a licence to kill - known as an Authority to Control Wildlife Application.

But Ms Purcell fired back: “The only thing that’s misleading is the government and their department claiming to conduct rigorous checks on property owners when it’s really just a tick and flick exercise to destroy our native animals without any oversight whatsoever.”

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said the government is failing to protect wombats. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Ms Purcell will this week force a debate in parliament calling on the government to stop wombat culling, conduct a population count and dedicate funding a mange treatment program.

“We’ve heard outrage and disgust from political leaders after an American tourist separated a wombat joey from its mother for a social media post,” she said.

“If they won’t accept wombats being picked up for a cruel photo shoot, why are they personally sanctioning their slaughter?”

The government spokeswoman said every application is assessed by the Conservation Regulator who provide “timely application outcomes to ensure public safety risks can be addressed as quickly as possible”.

“When ... requests have higher environmental impact or animal welfare risks these assessments can take longer,” she said.

Originally published as Licence to kill: ‘Tick and flick’ wombat-shooting permits slammed