Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Duck hunting

Mr MEDDICK, Ms TIERNEY
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Duck hunting

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:27): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. Minister, it would not be the start of a sitting year if I did not raise the issue of cruel duck shooting. Ending this wildlife thrill kill remains a priority of mine and the Animal Justice Party. Once again data from Professor Kingsford’s eastern Australian waterbird survey conducted in October last year found 48 per cent of surveyed wetlands held no waterbirds and total game duck abundance was down 58 per cent on 2020. It is clear no duck-shooting season should proceed this year. Based on this concerning information about bird numbers and dire conditions, will the minister ensure there is no duck-shooting season in 2022?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28): Consistent with my comments to Mr Bourman earlier this week in terms of the question, it would not be a first week of Parliament of any year if we were not to receive a question on this matter from either you or indeed Mr Bourman. With that crystal ball that I had I think on Tuesday it has come to fruition, and I will relay this question to the Minister for Agriculture, and I am sure that Minister Thomas will respond as per the standing orders.

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:29): Thank you, Minister. It is now 10 February, and the government has said no word about a duck-shooting season. This is the longest we have ever waited for an announcement. When will the minister share if there will be a duck-shooting season?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:29): Again I thank Mr Meddick for his question. Indeed he had the crystal ball in respect to Tuesday as well, because the timing of the announcement of duck shooting or not duck shooting or variations thereof was certainly pertinent to one of his questions, so again I will forward that to the Minister for Agriculture.

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