Animal rights activists and politicians have slammed the Victorian government’s decision to keep duck hunting legal, despite an inquiry recommending a ban on the controversial practice.
The government today announced it would not ban hunting of duck species in Victoria despite a long-standing push to end the practice.
Animal rights activists have labelled the decision inhumane, arguing that some species were under enormous pressure, while others were endangered.
Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos confirmed the controversial decision today.
“There are a diversity of views on this within the Victorian community and we’ve tried to listen to all of them,” Dimopoulos said.
“We accept that duck hunting is a legitimate activity that many thousands of Victorians enjoy and we want to make it safe, responsible and sustainable.”
The government plans to make changes to hunting laws to reduce the effects on endangered species, including introducing harsher penalties for hunters who break the law.
Mandatory training is also being introduced and resources will be increased for the Victorian Game Management Authority.
Dimopoulos said the government’s approach would focus on animal welfare.
“Proficiency has been proven to be one of the best mitigating factors for animal welfare concerns,” he said.
“The majority (of duck hunters) are not bad-behaved hunters.”
The recommendations were made by a nine-person committee, which found duck hunting had “acute animal welfare” issues and contributed to the loss of large areas of public land.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell today said the inquiry had been a complete waste of taxpayer money.
She said the decision marked the end of a “productive, proactive relationship” with the government.
“It is simply shameful,” she said.
“Duck shooters are less than one per cent of the Victorian population and half of those are active. This is a terrible decision to appease a dwindling minority.
“I hope they pay the price at the election.”
Duck hunting has already been outlawed in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
At the time of the inquiry, the state opposition and members of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmer Party labelled the inquiry’s findings a “complete stick-up”.
Those in favour of the practice claim it boosts economies in regional Victoria, with the season usually running from March or April to May every year.
Animal rights activists have claimed they have repeatedly witnessed illegal behaviour by duck shooters including failing to immediately kill wounded birds, killing above bag limits, shooting at protected and threatened species as well as taking part in an inhumane practice known as “twirling”.
RSPCA Victoria CEO Liz Walker said she was devastated by the government’s decision.
“Our concern has always been the incredibly high wounding rate of ducks,” she said.
“We know that these species are under enormous pressure, longterm declines, some of them are even endangered.
“I can assure you that RSPCA will not stop advocating.”
