Wednesday, 7 February 2024

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:12): (400) My question is for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation in the other place. Last week the government chose to ignore the main recommendation from its own parliamentary inquiry and allowed recreational duck shooting to continue here in Victoria. One thing is clear: this government hates ducks. Acknowledging the inherent and severe issues with the recreational slaughter, they announced a suite of bound-to-fail, resource-intensive reform measures, yet these are not coming into place until 2025. Why did the government not at the very least call a moratorium on this year’s season until these changes are implemented?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:13): I thank the member for her question, and of course as per the standing orders I will refer that matter to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation.

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:13): The government’s shameful announcement was boosted by a $10 million investment to improve the behaviour of duck shooters, who make up less than 1 per cent of the Victorian population. Meanwhile, the state’s peak wildlife group, operating off a shoestring budget, is desperately fundraising to deploy their volunteer-led emergency vet triage tent in time for the 2024 onslaught. Funding for shooters is 2000 times the amount the government gives per year to Wildlife Victoria as they work around the clock to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured native animals. Exactly how much in total will the reforms for the continuation of duck shooting cost taxpayers in a cost-of-living crisis?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:14): I thank the member for her supplementary question, which will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation for a response.