The Victorian Government has today announced its new ministry, following some long-serving Ministers’ resignations ahead of the November state election.
With the election now just over five months away, the changes at the top of key ministries present opportunities and challenges for SSAA Victoria and the shooting and hunting community more broadly.
Shootings policy environment
Whilst shooting and hunting interests cross over all of government and society; there are four critical portfolio areas that SSAA Victoria interacts with regularly. These are:
Police
Including;
- Firearm licensing
- Regulation of shooting ranges
- Regulation of firearm dealers
The new Minister for Police is The Hon Anthony Carbines MP.
Agriculture
Including;
- Administration of game hunting
- Game season decisions (jointly with Environment Minister)
- Game policy
- Wildlife (Game) Regulations
- Sustainable Hunting Action Plan
The new Minister for Agriculture is the Hon Gayle Tierney MP.
Environment and Water
Including;
- Wildlife Act
- Administration of public land (DELWP, Parks Victoria)
- SSAA Victoria’s Conservation and Pest Management Programs (CPM)
- Game season decisions (jointly with Agriculture Minister)
- Environmental water allocations in State Game Reserves
The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP continues as Minister for the Environment.
The Hon Harriet Shing MP takes on the role of Minister for Water.
Sport and Recreation
Including;
- Commonwealth Games 2026
- Shooting Sports Facilities Program
The new Minister for Sport is The Hon Steve Dimopolous MP.
The Hon Ros Spence MP continues as Minister for Community Sport.
The Deputy Premier, the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, takes on a new Ministry for Commonwealth Games Delivery.
Familiar faces in new roles
While many Ministers are new to their specific roles, none are ‘new’ to SSAA Victoria. The Association and the new Ministers are familiar with each other from previous interactions in various committees, inquiries and other Parliamentary duties.
SSAA Victoria regularly meets with Members of Parliament from various parties, regions and portfolios. The Association does this to ensure that everyone involved in decisions that affect shooting and hunting has the best possible information about law-abiding recreational shooters’ needs and aspirations and the positive role that we play in society. Shooting and hunting deliver significant triple-bottom-line benefits to Victoria.
SSAA Victoria is also pleased that several key advisors with whom we have solid working relationships will remain in their positions with the new Ministers.
The Association looks forward to meeting with Ministers and their staff again in the coming weeks.
Looking towards November
With just four Parliamentary sitting weeks left before the State Election, SSAA Victoria’s focus is firmly on the policies that will shape shooting and hunting in Victoria over the next four and a half years.
SSAA Victoria has been working closely with our colleagues in the larger hunting organisations to ensure that hunting and shooting in Victoria are in the best possible position regardless of which party forms Government after November.
