Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:56): (1995) My question is to the Minister for Environment, and it relates to Gippsland farmers who are facing devastating impacts from wild dog attacks. One East Gippsland farmer reports losing 250 to 300 sheep this year alone, despite having a dog-proof fence and using thermal gear nightly. The local Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action trapper has trapped and shot 27 dogs on or near this farm, yet cameras show 15 further dogs on the farm and five to seven on another property. These attacks are extended to calves, threatening the viability of farming families. Doggers are overworked and under-resourced, and these attacks are escalating, threatening farming families but also community safety, with wild dog packs attacking family dogs and even tracking joggers near state parks in West Gippsland. Minister, will you urgently allocate additional resources to control wild dog populations in my electorate to protect livestock and secure the future for our farming communities?