Duck hunting
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:02:292:): My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Just three weeks ago the Premier said that anybody who is breaching bag limits or disregarding species will ‘feel the full force of the law’. Already this season we have seen pits of buried birds, a sure sign that shooters have shot over their bag limit. We have seen many examples of protected species shot and killed—hardheads, blue-winged shovelers, freckled ducks and many other species of wetland birds. This past weekend we saw footage of a shooter at first attempting to hide a still living, illegally shot blue-winged shoveler in his large jacket pocket and then stomping the bird into the water and mud in an attempt to conceal his crime. Nobody has faced the full force of the law for these crimes. The Game Management Authority remains steadfastly disinterested in pursuing shooters. How much illegal activity must we tolerate before the government acts?
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:03): I thank Mr Meddick for his question and his consistent and compassionate presentations of the issues that he brings to this house in this respect, and I will refer this matter to the Minister for Agriculture, consistent with the standing orders.
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:03): Thank you, Minister, for doing that. My supplementary is that rescuers have made reports of illegal behaviour on a number of occasions this season. Can the government provide an update on how many shooters have been charged?
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Again I thank Mr Meddick for his supplementary question, and that matter will also be referred to the Minister for Agriculture.