Thursday, 14 November 2024

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:10): (742) My question is to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation in the other place. Duck-hunting season will be upon us before we know it, and I must thank the government for giving it a future. This time of year, going into the early months of the new year, is also a time of uncertainty for the hunters who want to hunt and the retailers who want to sell equipment to the hunters. Bag limits are always a bone of contention, given that for previous years there has been political interference in the setting of that limit. So my question is: can the government confirm that the adaptive harvest model will solely be used to set the bag limit this season and subsequent seasons?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:10): I thank Mr Bourman for his ongoing interest in the issue of duck shooting and in this case the issue of bag limits. This matter will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation for a response.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:10): I thank the minister. The recent report made recommendations, most of which the government accepted as they were at least defendable given the data, including mandatory training. My question is: how does the government propose to roll this training out before the start of the 2025 season?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:11): I thank the member for his supplementary question. That also of course will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation.