Thursday, 5 October 2023

Duck hunting

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (18:15): (489) My adjournment is to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation. The action I seek is for the government to reject the committee inquiry report recommendation for Victoria’s duck-hunting season to cease. Native game hunting in Victoria is a sustainable activity based on science and conducted in a safe and responsible way, and it has significant social, environmental and economic benefits. Victoria’s recreational native bird hunting is highly regulated under the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan. Loss of wetland habitat is the key issue affecting waterbird populations, and hunting has a very small effect, being overridden by loss of habitat. During the inquiry the committee heard from Dr Brian Hiller, a professor of wildlife ecology, who said:

Habitat is key. If you have habitat, you have birds.

I received over 500 individual letters from constituents who want the season to continue, including Graeme from Rushworth Field and Game, who shared about the work that they have been doing at their club. Many field and game clubs participate in conservation activities, including making nesting boxes to help give waterfowl and other birdlife places to nest. Brolgas now nest in an area where Rushworth Field and Game members planted trees and shrubs. Let us continue to rely on science, conservation efforts and responsible regulation to ensure that native duck hunting in Victoria remains a sustainable practice and not follow a flawed report that recommends the activity come to an end. The Nationals support the continuation of bird harvesting in Victoria in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.