Duck hunting under fire

AN inquiry into recreational bird hunting has recommended a ban on duck hunting in Victoria from 2024.

The Select Committee inquiry, which began in March, tabled its final report for the Victorian parliament at the end of August.

CEO of Field and Game Australia Lucas Cooke argued that hunting had positive conservation and economic impacts that were being overlooked.

“There is no logical reason to end duck hunting. Duck hunting is sustainable,” he said.

“While we respect and continuously address concerns related to animal welfare, it is important to note that imposing a ban on native game bird hunting would set a dangerous precedent.

“Such a stance could potentially lead to bans on all hunting, fishing and even animal agriculture. The committee’s perspective, in our opinion, does not reflect the broader public interest.”

The Liberals and Nationals labelled the inquiry as “biased and stacked”, claiming its intent was purely to end duck hunting ideology.

“This inquiry was a missed opportunity to showcase the sustainability of hunting based on science and fact,” Eastern Victoria MLC and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use Melina Bath said.

“This inquiry has wasted many thousands of dollars and countless hours to put together a biased and flawed report.

“The (State) Government together with the cross bench have used selective ideological evidence to justify its end game – banning duck hunting.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy urged the State Government to reject the recommendation and focus on the economic benefits. 

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of Victoria MP Jeff Bourman, who is also a member of the select committee, said delivering the report on time was the only positive to emerge from the inquiry. 

“Recommendation one is farcical, as it is in complete contradiction to the credible evidence presented to the committee,” he said.

“In fact, the report should really start, ‘once upon a time’, it’s so far removed from what we heard. It’s proof that the whole process was a sham, that the outcome was predetermined and that a lot of people   have wasted time and resources for nothing.”

The committee heard from activists and protesters, as well as scientists and credible organisations.

Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien has also called on the State Government to reject the recommendation.

“The inquiry heard very clear evidence that habitat is the key to sustaining duck populations and that hunting has a very minimal impact,” he said.

“I am acutely aware of the efforts of hunters around the state to maintain and improve wetland habitat.

“Indeed, had it not been for hunters in the 1950s and 1960s pressuring the government to establish State Game Reserves, many of our wetlands and therefore breeding grounds for native birds would have been lost.”

Mr Cooke said the hunting community had worked tirelessly to improve hunting practices, and hunting remained one of the most highly regulated recreational activities in Victoria.

Despite the outcome of the report, Mr Cooke said Field and Game Australia would continue to champion the benefits of regulated hunting and would work collaboratively to address the committee’s concerns while safeguarding the interests of the wider community.

The government has six months to respond to the report’s recommendation.