Tuesday, 10 September 2019

 Mr RICH-PHILLIPS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (13:42): Last week I was pleased to participate in another successful politicians clay target shoot hosted by Field & Game Australia at Willowmavin in central Victoria. The relaxed contest between political parties was a great way to introduce recreational shooting to members of Parliament and local councillors. The competition was followed by a light lunch, which showcased game meats and local Victorian wines.

Recreational hunters have long been Victoria’s original conservationists, preserving and restoring natural habitat and exhibiting skill, commitment and respect in practising sustainable game hunting. The event was a great opportunity to showcase some of those skills. It is important that members of Parliament have an understanding of traditional Australian cultural pursuits like recreational shooting and hunting, and therefore it was great to see four political parties represented at the event, with the Liberal and National parties each having teams and the Labor Party and the Liberal Democrats all attending and participating. Congratulations to Field & Game Australia on providing parliamentarians with a great opportunity to better understand the contribution that recreational shooting and hunting makes to our great state.

The PRESIDENT: I acknowledge in the gallery a former member of the Parliament, Mr Roger Prescott.