Thursday, 16 November 2023

Lowan electorate

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:44): (432) My question is to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and the information I seek is: when will next year’s duck-hunting season be announced? Local businesses are coming to me, and they are very concerned because they need to know sooner rather than later whether next year’s duck-hunting season will go ahead or not. They need to be able to order supplies now so they are in stock for the upcoming season, but if the intention is for Labor to cancel duck hunting in the state, then they need to not order those goods. Recently we held a duck-hunting forum in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Danny O’Brien: Whereabouts?

Emma KEALY: It was in Craigieburn actually.

Danny O’Brien: Yan Yean.

Emma KEALY: Yes, it was up in Yan Yean. A member in the other place Mr Evan Mulholland was there and helped to coordinate it, and the fabulous member for Euroa was also in attendance. With over 400 duck hunters there, there was unanimous support that we can host a sustainable season, and they desperately want to make sure there is an announcement for the upcoming season before the end of this year.