Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:30): (1169) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Environment. Only a few weeks ago in here in question time I asked the government for an update on the long-promised, nonlethal dingo trials and the $2.5 million that was allocated to them. I still have not received a response to that question, and I am now convinced that the government only committed to this project to ensure its failure, setting us further back than where we began. Since that time my office has received troubling reports indicating no actual development of these trials and that new legislation could potentially strip back protections and entrench lethal dingo control into law. Can the minister confirm whether such legislation is being considered?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:31): I thank the member for her question. I will endeavour to follow up that information that was originally before the house and seek information in relation to legislation.

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:31): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. The Wotjobaluk people in particular have fought especially hard to protect dingoes in north-west Victoria, advocating for Indigenous-led decision-making in the management of these culturally significant animals and directly contributing to the government’s commitment to exploring nonlethal trial methods. Yet we still have no update at all on when these nonlethal strategies will be trialled and now face what appears to be a backward step towards further killing. Has the minister consulted any further with Victorian First Nations communities ahead of any upcoming decisions regarding the management of culturally significant native dingoes?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:32): I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question. This will be a matter that will be referred to the Minister for Environment, Minister Dimopoulos, for a response.