Wild dog control
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (14:19): (1392) My question is to the Minister for Environment. Minister, livestock losses from wild dog attacks have increased by more than 80 per cent since 2023, while your government has cut aerial baiting and reduced ground baiting by up to 66 per cent in some eastern management zones. Minister, will you restore programs to protect Victorian livestock and vulnerable native fauna from wild dog predation?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:19): I thank Ms Bath for her question and her interest in these matters. I do note that this is an ongoing debate, and since coming to the portfolio I have had to familiarise myself with distinguishing wild dogs and dingoes. Much of the alleged wild dogs in regional Victoria are in fact genetically proven, and I know there is scientific testing that they are in fact dingoes. We as a government recognise that dingoes are a protected and culturally significant native species, while also acknowledging the serious impacts that livestock predation can have on farming communities. This is about balance. In eastern Victoria the program supports both nonlethal and targeted lethal controls where justified, while north-west of Victoria they focus on conservation because the Mallee dingo population is at imminent risk of extinction. I will also say that the dingo, I know, to many traditional owner groups that I have spoken to is not just a native species. We are talking about kinship. It is a totem animal. It is part of family for many traditional owners. We have supported efforts in this area, invested over $2 million for nonlethal control trials, fencing – a lot of fencing, you would understand, in eastern Victoria, in your region. This is practical conservation, protecting biodiversity while supporting regional communities and primary producers.
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (14:20): Minister, you raised the issue around north-western Victoria. Minister, there is a farmer called Scott Keller, and he is from Rainbow. He has just invoiced your department almost $40,000 for the loss of 16 ewes, 145 lambs and 21 nights of patrol caused by wild dog attacks. Indeed his 72-year-old father broke down in tears witnessing the carnage that these wild dog attacks do to their prized lambs. Minister, how many more farming families must suffer losses like the Kellers before you restore effective wild dog controls and unprotected arrangements that allow farmers to protect their stock?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:21): I thank Ms Bath for her question and her interest in this matter. I do believe that particular example that you have provided is probably better addressed to the Minister for Agriculture. What I will say is, as a minister in this government, I recognise that livestock predation is distressing, costly and can seriously affect farmers, and we are focused on protecting farmers. In relation to the dingoes in the north-west of Victoria, they are protected because they are at risk of imminent extinction. This is a real biodiversity travesty, so we need to take steps to protect them. I think in eastern Victoria the situation is different. I will always be guided by the science, but I think the settings are appropriate in the circumstances.