Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:55): (1066) My question is to the Minister for Environment. I recently raised concerns with the Minister for Agriculture about the future of the wild dog program, on behalf of farmers in the north-west and north-east of my electorate, at Tallangatta. Agriculture Victoria recently conducted a very brief survey, just open for two weeks, regarding the impacts of predation on livestock and its production, and I understand that the program is currently under review and that the Minister for Environment will soon determine if the program continues. Victoria is Australia’s largest sheep meat producer, and by value we account for over 50 per cent of Australia’s wool exports. Farmers are concerned that if the wild dog program is discontinued there will soon be an explosion in numbers. The state government has already indicated that wild dogs are now protected dingos and rejected authority-to-control-wildlife permits in the north-west of the state. I ask the minister to commit to continuing the wild dog program for another five years and provide clarity for farmers by outlining how the Allan Labor government will ensure that farmers can protect their livestock from wild dogs.