Wild horse control
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (11:59): (490) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Environment. Horses have been present in the Barmah forest here on Yorta Yorta country for over a century and a half. According to Parks Victoria’s inflated and flawed counting system, there were 540 brumbies in 2020, with locals now saying only a herd of approximately 100 have survived the mass flooding and shooting in the Barmah area. Yet this government has embarked upon indiscriminate slaughter of brumbies. Highly inaccurate aerial and ground shooting leaves brumbies horrifically injured, with missing eyes, bleeding out to a long and painful death and left to rot in the forest. Will the minister issue an independent re-count to determine the remaining population of brumbies in the Barmah forest?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:00): I thank Ms Purcell for her question. Consistent with the standing orders, I will refer that question to the Minister for Environment, and I am sure that he will provide you with the appropriate written response.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:00): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Let us be clear: this is not a culling to control the brumby population. Parks Victoria itself has expressed its plan to eradicate all of the brumbies from the Barmah forest. This government sees fit to go against the wishes of local residents, business owners and farmers who disagree with the eradication of brumbies. This suburban government thinks it knows better than those living near the Barmah forest. There are 76,000 acres in the Barmah Forest and less than a hundred brumbies. The remaining small brumby population deserves protection, not slaughter. Will the minister commit to investigating alternative population management methods, such as immunocontraception?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:01): I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question. I could not hear it, but I am sure it will be in Hansard and that the Minister for Environment will get to see it, and he will respond accordingly as per the standing orders.