Thursday, 10 September 2026

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:32): (1482) My question is for the Minister for Environment. Minister, as we come out of another cold Melbourne winter and with the cost of living biting hard on many in the community, it is time we talk about how as a community and a society we can assist those in need by providing much-needed red deer meat to food banks and homeless shelters. Hunters for the Hungry already operates in the New Zealand North Island towns of Taupō and Tūrangi. It began in 2020 to use surplus red protein – over six tonnes of it – and give it to charities. Only meat that hunters would put on their own family’s dinner table is accepted for processing, and it cannot be traded or sold on. Hunters believe they can donate even more venison mince to food banks, which would decrease the ever-increasing cost of red protein for many charity organisations. Minister, my question is: if New Zealand can do it, why can’t Victoria?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:33): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and his long-term and passionate support of Hunters for the Hungry. They obviously do important work assisting vulnerable members of the community experiencing food insecurity, and I thank Mr Bourman for his advocacy and his suggestions in relation to how we can do more in this space. This year’s budget included $300,000 for policy work to enable – you know all this, but I will tell the chamber as well – the processing of recreationally harvested wild venison. This will examine pathways for wild-shot venison to enter regulated processing and potentially support the donation or broader use of harvested deer meat. Mr Bourman, I am very happy to continue to work with you and Hunters for the Hungry on what steps we can take to realise their ambitions.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:34): I thank the minister for her answer. Minister and everyone else in here, will you join me and the SSAA Victoria at our lunch today to try for yourself the quality of the game meat on offer in Victoria, with vegan and vegetarian options available?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:34): The inclusive nature of this event is noted, Mr Bourman. It is an event that I can attend given the diversity that you do offer. My office have already got it in their diaries and have had for some time. I have got a meeting that clashes, but I will certainly swing by and say hi.