Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Duck hunting

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (13:58): This government hates wildlife. Last Monday was the day that duck shooting should have been banned in Victoria. Instead it was a day we saw them waste taxpayer money and betray parliamentary processes, our wildlife and the community by giving the green light to continue the blood sport. It is a decision that flies in the face of the thousands of Victorians who submitted evidence to this inquiry and one that without justification prioritises hobby shooters over the environment.

It was also the day that ended with a bizarre form of sexism against me. Moments after viewing it on TV I saw an altered image of me from the nightly news shared immediately in a public shooters’ forum with a string of violent, sexist and misogynistic commentary underneath. Emboldened by their win, their comments have continued to escalate – backed in by the leaders of this state. It is no secret that this process came at an enormous personal toll for me and many others, and this gutless government has made it all for nothing. But unlike them, I will keep my word and I will continue to fight for our native waterbirds in here and on the wetlands as long as duck shooting continues.