Duck hunting
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:23): My question is for the Attorney-General, on behalf of Minister Tierney, the Minister for Agriculture. Earlier this month FOIs revealed the Environment Protection Authority Victoria has been aware of toxic levels of lead in Victorian ducks for the past four years, despite lead ammunition for duck shooting having been banned for over two decades. Lead poisoning puts protected species at risk of being paralysed and is extremely harmful to human health. Lead remains a contaminant for decades, impacting waterways, animals who are shot directly and birds of prey, including wedge-tailed eagles, who feed on the bodies of birds killed and abandoned by shooters. During the 2022 duck-shooting season six shooters were fined for using lead ammunition, but no public warning was issued and recreational shooting continued despite the risks. Is the minister confident that illegal lead use can be monitored across the hundreds of wetlands available to duck shooters in Victoria?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:24): I thank Mr Meddick for his question for Minister Tierney in her capacity as agriculture minister, and I will endeavour to pass that on to her. But I would just ask also, in terms of the days, as Ms Tierney is on bereavement leave today and tomorrow, that we factor that in for her to be able to respond at her earliest convenience to Mr Meddick. I am sure she would be happy to provide you with as much information as possible.
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (12:25): Thank you, Attorney, for passing that on. This information was uncovered by volunteers using their own money to FOI documents from the department. It was not volunteered for public display by the department. The government claims to be unaware of scientific studies to determine lead levels in ducks, but the EPA received evidence back in 2018. Can the minister advise why information concerning health and safety was kept from members of the public?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:25): I thank Mr Meddick for his supplementary question. Although I am happy to pass that on to Minister Tierney, you have referenced the EPA, which is obviously a matter for Minister D’Ambrosio predominantly. But we will see what information Minister Tierney’s office can give you in relation to the information that they receive by virtue of their interaction with the EPA.