Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called on the State Government to reject the findings of what he called a biased inquiry into duck hunting, which recommended an end to the practice.

“What we saw today was not surprising at all with the Greens, Animal Justice Party and Labor MP’s opposed to duck hunting, coming up with a finding in the majority report we all knew was coming but, in my view, common sense findings are in the minority report.

“What’s interesting, is there were two minority reports – the first from the Liberals and Nationals who supported its continuation, and another from a sole Labor MP who broke ranks and opposed multiple elements of the major report.

“The ‘Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements’ main report has ignored science and based its call to end duck hunting on ideology alone,” said Mr Bull.

After hearing overwhelming evidence from scientists showing hunters do not adversely impact the population of water birds, the Liberals and Nationals were unable to support the Inquiry committee’s majority report and Mr Bull commended his colleague Melina Bath for the work she undertook as a member of the committee.

The extensive Liberals and Nationals minority report recommends the continuation of bird harvesting in Victoria in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

Mr Bull raised the point that opponents of duck season say it is either unsustainable or cruel.

“On the first point, the scientific evidence showed it is sustainable and, on the second point, the report says it should continue to be allowed for Aboriginal Victorians due to cultural reasons. So it poses the question - is cruelty based on who is holding the gun?

“Country people have hunted for food for generations and duck season is important to our local economy.

“Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of predominantly city people telling us what jobs we can and can’t have (eg. timber industry) and what pastimes we can and can’t partake in.

“In 2022, there were almost 28,000 licences to hunt game birds (ducks and quails) in Victoria and many of these were younger men and women. Whether it be fishing or duck season, I support the right to hunt for food.”

Thursday, 31 August, 2023