Duck hunting
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:28): (55) The 2023 duck season saga rolls on. My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Outdoor Recreation in the other place, Minister Shing. We hear a lot from this government about evidence and data-led legislation and being able to stand behind what legislation is introduced here because of this principle. There was even a commitment by the government to remove politics from the duck season in the previous Parliament. The science is in, the data is in and even the stakeholder contributions are in, and the government’s own science and data say we should have four ducks a day for a full season. So, Minister, why are we waiting still for the 2023 duck-hunting season arrangements to be announced with less than three weeks to go?
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:29): Thank you, Mr Bourman, for that question. It is always an interesting set of challenges seeing you and your colleague with such diametrically opposed positions on the same issue rise to your feet on this subject matter from sitting week to sitting week. I am very pleased in accordance with the standing orders to send this question to my colleague Minister Kilkenny in the other place and to seek an answer for you in that respect.
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:29): I thank the minister for referring that on for me. Minister, I have had all sorts of equivocation to my ongoing questions but no actual reason. The government has all the science and data since December 2022. What is the real reason we are waiting for an announcement?
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:29): Thank you for that supplementary question, Mr Bourman. I note that you got some support from over the way, Mrs McArthur in particular – again, it is a week of surprises, isn’t it – but nothing from the Nationals, which is somewhat curious. Mr Bourman, I will direct that question to Minister Kilkenny and seek an answer for you in accordance with the standing orders.