Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Select Committee on Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements

Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (17:02): I also wish to speak on the select committee inquiry into native bird hunting. It is great that the Victorian Labor Party and this Allan government have been dragged kicking and screaming into abandoning their ridiculous proposed ban on duck hunting. We know where this inquiry came from. We know that it was a stitch-up from the get-go. Nobody seriously believes that this inquiry would have ever found anything other than this predetermined outcome that those pushing for a ban were seeking to justify. These activists believe that hunters are nothing more than a destructive force on nature, ignoring their crucial role in conservation seen in places like Heart Morass and Lake Connewarre.

Duck hunting is so much more than a hobby or a pastime. It is a cherished cultural tradition that has flourished in Victoria for generations from the First Australians to present-day hunters. For many Victorians this practice is how they experience and deepen their connection to the land, their friends and families, undeniably improving mental health outcomes. Many families have been hunting as a tradition for generations.

Together with Liberal and National MPs, our open letter against a ban received over 750 signatures that were sent directly to Premier Jacinta Allan. I was on the committee and co-authored a dissenting report and hosted a duck-hunting forum in Craigieburn, where over 400 hunters were present to make their voices heard. I should also thank my colleagues that were involved: Melina Bath, who did a great job drafting our dissenting report for the inquiry; Bev McArthur for her work on the dissenting report and on the inquiry; and also Wendy Lovell, Emma Kealy and Annabelle Cleeland for attending and contributing to my forum. I would also like to thank Field and Game Australia, including CEO Lucas Cooke, and Field and Game Australia members for their advocacy, also the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Victorian branch. I would also like to thank the Working Gundog Association, a great dog club in the northern suburbs.

It was great to visit Riddells Creek with my family for a demonstration of the dog training they do. I know my kids certainly enjoyed playing with the pups. Hunters should never forget their local Labor MPs at the ballot box in 2026 that were silent on duck hunting. Some, like the member for Albert Park, were even posting Facebook videos celebrating the inquiry report and promising a ban. The member for Greenvale in my electorate was silent on the ban. Countless duck hunters from my electorate came to the forum and told me they had never heard back regarding their inquiries on duck hunting. The member for Kalkallo in my electorate, who has over 1000 duck hunters in her electorate, was silent on the ban. The member for Yan Yean, who has over 2600 duck hunters in her electorate, far exceeding her margin in that seat, was also silent on the ban. We will continue to fight for Victorian duck hunters to ensure that we have a hunting season well beyond 2024. We will also continue fighting to support the rights of Victorians to enjoy the great outdoors, be that hunting, four-wheel driving, fishing or camping. Labor MPs have shown they are not to be trusted on these matters. Labor MPs have wanted to ban duck hunting for a long time, and I feel that the union pressure and especially the pressure I and my colleagues, including Melina Bath, put on Labor MPs in their seats got too much for the government to stay the course and proceed with their plan for a ban.

And how humbling for members like Mr Batchelor and Mr Galea, who actually criticised me in this place for hosting a duck hunting forum and for taking up the plight of hunters, that their Premier Jacinta Allan – I know she was not Mr Galea’s choice – had to roll them on the issue, so another loss for Ms Blandthorn and Mr Galea. Let me make this clear – the Labor Party always intended on banning duck hunting, and they will follow through if given the opportunity. My message to the Labor Party is the opposition will not allow you to ban duck hunting. It is a cherished family tradition and a good and decent pastime for hardworking Victorians. If Labor and their activist mates had their way, there would be no duck hunting, perhaps no hunting at all, and our state and national parks would be locked away rather than available for the benefit and enjoyment of all Victorians.