Thursday, 9 June 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Duck hunting

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:00): My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. This weekend marks the end of Victoria’s 12-week-long recreational duck-shooting season. The opening weekend saw a litany of law-breaking, including 23 native birds shot and buried and the killing and maiming of protected species. Just like opening weekend, closing weekend is also where we see the worst behaviour from shooters as they take their final kill for the season. The majority of incidents of non-compliance are actually reported by volunteers and rescuers, not captured by the authorities responsible, but it is simply not possible for us to monitor all areas where duck shooting takes place considering there are thousands of water bodies across Victoria. Can the minister advise which wetlands were monitored by compliance officers this season?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:01): I thank Mr Meddick for his question. I will refer that matter—quite specifically, the locations of that surveillance—to the Minister for Agriculture and, as per the standing orders, she will respond in writing.

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:01): Thank you, Minister, for doing that. My supplementary is: as mentioned, we have great concern about shooter behaviour over the closing days, especially given it is a long weekend. Can the minister advise what compliance efforts will be put in place to monitor shooter activity over this period?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:01): Again, Mr Meddick, I will refer your supplementary to the Minister for Agriculture for her response.