RSPCA Victoria has questioned the State Government's decision to allow duck and quail hunting to continue in Victoria.
The government is set ignore the recommendation of a parliamentary inquiry to outlaw recreational duck hunting with the RSCPA saying the decision "flies in the face of its progress on animal welfare legislation, the Select Committee’s recommendations, clear evidence of its harms, and public sentiment".
The Select Committee’s recommendation of a ban on native bird hunting was formed after consideration of extensive evidence including the suffering caused to waterbirds through unavoidable wounding, data indicating species decline, and community support for an end to native bird hunting in the state.
RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker called for the government to reverse its decision amid independent research which indicated two in three people across the state oppose duck and quail hunting.
“The recent parliamentary inquiry recommended native bird hunting cease based on extensive evidence and a record number of submissions from the public,” Dr Walker said.
“The evidence is there, with other states like Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia all having banned it up to three decades ago with people still enjoying the great outdoors," she said.
“Instead of sanctioning the injury, pain, suffering, distress of our native birds, the government should have listened to the inquiry, and millions of Victorians who also want to see it banned."
The government is said to be considering a mandatory training program similar to the competency test used in Denmark, however the Danish program, developed in 1997, took more than 20 years to notice any significant reduction in wounding, with wounding rates still as high as 10 per cent.
Based on the Game Management Authority’s own figures, more than 300,000 native birds were killed in the shortened 2023 season, with tens of thousands more estimated to experience debilitating injuries.
“This decision simply leaves us asking when it comes to duck and quail hunting, why is Victoria different?, "Dr Walker said.
“We urge the government to hear the millions of Victorians who have made clear their support for a duck hunting ban in Victoria and to reverse this decision.”
