Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Animal welfare

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:18): (783) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Environment. The Grampians bushfires have burnt through more than 80,000 hectares of national park and private land. DEECA claims to have assessed over 9000 animals from these fires, but Zoos Victoria state that not a single animal has been transferred to Werribee zoo or Healesville Sanctuary for treatment, despite the Werribee hospital being specifically established for this purpose. It is our knowledge that out of the over 9000 assessed, only four have been put into the care of a wildlife volunteer. What was the fate of the other 9000 animals assessed?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:19): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and her ongoing advocacy for wildlife. I am aware of the devastation absolutely in terms of the bushfires, and I have been into the Grampians and spoken to a whole range of different people about the impact that they have had, and of course wildlife has been referred to in those discussions as well. I will refer this matter to the Minister for Environment, and I am sure that they will respond to you as per the standing orders.

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:20): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. We have also been informed that the Game Management Authority are actively shooting wildlife in the Grampians as part of the Wildlife Emergency Support Network response. Why are the GMA involved in the Wildlife Emergency Support Network instead of the many capable veterinarians, trained macropod darters and wildlife volunteers who could instead be out there saving our wildlife?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:20): Again I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary, and I will forward that question on to the Minister for Environment for a response. But I think she would be well aware that the devastation has been significant, and I would imagine that a whole range of different people and groups have been called in to assist.