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Labor has funds for wild dogs (at the zoo), but dropping the ball on the real dog issue
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Labor has funds for wild dogs (at the zoo), but dropping the ball on the real dog issue

The State Labor Government has announced $9 million for wild dogs, but unfortunately for East Gippsland farmers, it is a $9m upgrade to the Melbourne Zoo enclosure that will house African wild dogs.

“This announcement comes when after two and a half years of this government, the new wild dog committee still hasn’t been formed, let alone been appointed,” said Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

“It is extremely disappointing for landholders feeling the effects of the wild dog population that the Minister has seemingly forgotten all about the problem,” he said.

Mr Bull said the Government’s decision to halve the overall landholder representation and cut the number of East Gippsland committee members from three to one was a further slap in the face to farmers.

“To go and invest $9m to build a new home for African wild dogs in Melbourne is a slap in the face over and above the incompetence that has been shown,” he said.

“From dumping the original wild dog committee and bounty, interrupting aerial baiting, establishing a committee that hasn’t been appointed yet and electing a chair who had no idea and said she was ‘too busy’ to fill the role, and now this – Labor really has dropped the ball on the wild dog issue.

“The Minister must immediately get moving on this issue, appoint the committee and get on the ground to properly deal with the wild dog problem facing local farmers.”

Monday, June 5, 2017