Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Duck hunting

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (18:04): (520) My adjournment is directed towards the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and the action I seek is for him not to accept the stitch-up report of the Select Committee on Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements. I will note that one of your own Labor members on the committee submitted a dissenting report opposing a ban. As I have said in this place before, I have never been duck hunting and probably never will, but a lot of people do, and a lot of good working-class people do. I will also note for the minister’s information that a lot of people in working-class Labor seats do, particularly marginal Labor seats. One of them is the seat of Yan Yean, where there are 2252 licensed hunters. I will note the margin of the seat is only 1683 votes. In the seat of Bass, where there are 1467 licensed hunters, the margin is only 102 votes. In the seat of Pakenham there are 683 licensed hunters, and the margin is only 154 votes. I could go on, there are plenty of other seats – Hastings: 765 licensed hunters and only 559 votes in that seat.

What I have heard from duck hunters that have spoken to me is that they are very concerned about this Labor government’s forthcoming decisions, but they wanted to send a message through me that they hunt and they vote. They are very concerned about an upcoming decision, which is why I have decided to organise a forum in my electorate in the seat of Kalkallo, where there are over 1000 licensed hunters, to provide some information on duck hunting to make it known that the Liberal and National parties defend the rights of hunters. I am looking forward to welcoming Lucas Cooke, the CEO of Field and Game Australia, as well as my colleague Emma Kealy, the Deputy Leader of the Nationals. I know, and I would note for the minister’s attention, that a lot of good union members are also going to be in attendance, and a lot of people from growth areas also said to me in the committee and made it known ‍– some of these people work very long hours on places like Big Build sites, working six days a week, very long hours – that they book their leave in advance and consider it an escape from everyday life, and they take their family away to places like Gippsland or Geelong for this recreational activity. So, again, I seek the action of the minister not to accept a ridiculous ban. I am looking forward to greeting the, I think, close to 300 people that are now coming to my forum, and I want to let the minister know that we will not let him get away with a ban on duck hunting.