Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Duck hunting

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (13:29): My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. The current recreational duck-shooting season is in its eighth week—

Members interjecting.

Ms Pulford: On a point of order, President—Mr Meddick, apologies for interrupting your start—Ms Symes sought a withdrawal of the claim that Ms Crozier made across the chamber not once but twice, and I would encourage you to rule on that, please.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Crozier, I did not hear the comment, but—

Ms Crozier: President, for the interests of the house, it was a general comment that I will withdraw so that we can move on.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you.

Mr MEDDICK: Thank you, President. I will start again. My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. The current recreational duck-shooting season is in its eighth week. For two months we have witnessed the government-approved slaughter of our native wildlife for the entertainment of a dwindling few. Last month a duck shooter was successfully prosecuted in the Ballarat Magistrates Court for a 2021 offence that involved killing a second bird before bothering to collect the first. Each year complaints just like this are made by distressed members of the public. Nearby residents and animal carers collect evidence of behaviour the Game Management Authority (GMA) so poorly monitors itself. The government has publicly stated that it will take action if breaches occur, yet there is no trust in the authority’s ability to consistently action complaints. Can the minister advise how many duck-shooting cases have progressed through to a prosecution since 2018?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:31): I thank Mr Meddick for his question and his ongoing concerns around the issues of duck shooting, and I will refer the matter to the Minister for Agriculture.

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (13:32): Thank you, Minister, for that. My supplementary is that this year duck rescuers have reported a number of breaches to the GMA, including threatened species killed or dispersed from nesting sites, injured birds left to die, shooters unsafely handling weapons and improper and extremely cruel killing methods. They have even reported pits of shallowly buried ducks killed illegally and in surplus. Can the minister provide a report detailing the outcome of incidents this year so far?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:32): I thank Mr Meddick for his question. I am unsure as to the amount of detail that Minister Thomas will be able to provide. Nevertheless I will refer your supplementary question to her.