Thursday, 29 May 2025

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (13:00): (1620) My question is for the Minister for Environment. On 3 April Victoria Police and authorised officers from the conservation regulator executed search warrants at a business address in Kyneton, where a range of live and dead wildlife specimens were seized. Images released to the media showed a freezer drawer containing a dead echidna, with multiple native, exotic and introduced animals visible in the background, many appearing to have been prepared for taxidermy. Local media reported the operation lasted approximately 8 hours. This incident has raised serious concerns in my community about the illegal possession and trade of wildlife and whether current protections and enforcement efforts are sufficient, particularly in regional areas like Northern Victoria. Can the minister outline which species of live animals were seized during this investigation and what has happened to these animals?