Jeff Bourman MP used one of the final Question Times in this Parliamentary term to call on the Victorian Government to keep its promises on duck season announcements. Questioning Victoria’s Agriculture Minister, the Hon Gayle Tierney MP, Mr Bourman reminded the Government of their clear commitments both to timely seasonal announcements and to taking the politics out of what needs to be an objective process based on science and sustainability. Mr Bourman also reminded Minister Tierney of the absurd situation that duck hunters faced in 2021/22 when the Government’s internal politics caused it to take a staggering seventy days to confirm the independent expert recommendations. He then asked for a commitment to announce the settings for 2023 by the new year. Falling short of committing to a date for an announcement, Minister Tierney did acknowledge the importance of basing her decisions on expert scientific advice.
In a supplementary question, Mr Bourman asked Minister Tierney to commit to publishing the Adaptive Harvest Report in full within two days of it being received by government. Minister Tierney again fell short of committing but acknowledged that the principle of doing that was sound.
In a process that commenced in 2021, recommendations on duck seasons are made to government in a report (the Interim Adaptive Harvest model) by eminent independent ecologists, Professors Marcel Klaassen and Richard Kingsford. These recommendations ensure that government can set a duck season with no risk to the sustainability of game duck species.
Duck hunting provides sustainable opportunities for 25 thousand Victorian hunters, contributes $106million to the Victorian economy and underpins 857 jobs.
SSAA Victoria will continue to push for timely and transparent season announcements based on objective scientific evidence.
