The Victorian Government has tabled its response to the Independent Review of Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975.
In its response, the Government strongly rejected two of the review’s most damaging recommendations – proposals that would have undermined evidence-based game management and recreational hunting while offering no measurable benefit to wildlife conservation.
Recommendation 5.4
“The Victorian Government should pursue a declaration to list all deer as a pest animal under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act).”
Government response:
“All deer species are prohibited pest animals under the CaLP Act — other than eight species. These eight species are classified as wildlife. Also, six of these eight species are classified as game. The current arrangements are not a barrier to effective deer control.”
Recommendation 5.5
“No longer prescribe duck season to occur automatically. Duck hunting can occur each year only if the responsible Minister is satisfied duck populations are stable or improving … and must publish a statement of reasons for their decision each year.”
Government response:
“The recommendation is not consistent with the Government response to the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Inquiry into Victoria’s recreational native bird hunting arrangements. The current arrangements are considered appropriate.”
A Troubled Review Process
The composition of the so-called “expert panel” changed significantly during the review. Of the original members appointed in February 2021, only one remained when the panel delivered its final report in December 2021.
The original Chair, Dr Deborah Peterson, an eminent natural-resource economist, was replaced by Jane Brockington, a governance and regulatory design specialist. Professor Ngaio Beausoleil, a recognised authority on animal welfare and ethics, was replaced by Dr John Hellström, a biosecurity expert. Professor Arie Freiberg, former Dean of Law at Monash University, resigned and was not replaced.
To our knowledge, the Government made no public announcement or explanation for these fundamental changes. In that context, it is difficult to accept that the panel’s final report genuinely reflected the consultation and evidence gathered under its original leadership.
Concerns About Bias
The sole remaining member throughout this process was Dr Jack Pascoe. SSAA Victoria raised concerns at the time of his appointment, both about his lack of relevant expertise in wildlife or game management and the clear risk of ideological bias. Those concerns have since been borne out.
Dr Pascoe has since chosen to publicly advocate against lawful hunting, describing the Government’s support for duck hunting as “one in a litany of failures to respond adequately to environmental decline and to support the views of Indigenous Victorians.”
SSAA Victoria stresses that Dr Pascoe does not, and should not, be taken to speak on behalf of Indigenous Victorians. To our knowledge, he is not recognised or authorised by any Traditional Owner group to do so.
He has also made inaccurate claims about deer management, including that “the Victorian Government should list deer as pest species under the CaLP Act and remove their protected status.” That position is demonstrably inconsistent with scientific evidence and effective land-management practice.
Evidence Over Activism
SSAA Victoria thanks the Victorian Government for rejecting the ideological activism that marred aspects of the review process, and for continuing to support balanced, science-based game management that benefits both wildlife and the Victorian community.