The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said 2022 should see the return of a full duck season in Victoria.
Victoria has not seen a full duck season since 2018 with the season shortened to 64 days in 2019, 38 days in 2020 and just 20 days in 2021.
Mr O’Brien said an appropriately regulated and conducted duck season represents a sustainable activity that delivers tremendous economic benefit to regions like Gippsland.
“Duck shooting is an immensely popular recreational activity in Gippsland that sees shooters inject enormous amounts of revenue into our economy,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It’s a cultural activity that brings families and friends together out in nature.
“Over the past four years we have seen the State Labor Government chase inner-city green votes at the expense of those who enjoy a legal recreational activity and the regions that benefit from it.
“We have seen Labor sit back and watch as activist groups have enacted smear campaigns spreading false information about duck hunting and its impact on duck populations and habitat.
“Those who participate in duck season understand better than anyone the need to ensure waterfowl numbers and habitats are preserved so that duck season can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Anyone can see in Gippsland the valuable work organisations like Field and Game Australia do to preserve and protect our wetlands.
“The decision of the Andrews Labor Government to not only allow these lies to go unchecked, but to continually crimp duck season has been extremely disappointing for Gippsland and a slap in the face to the hard-working conservationists within Field and Game Australia who work diligently to ensure the health of areas like the Heart Morass.
“Decisions around the 2022 duck season must be based on evidence and not false ideology. We have had two wet seasons across much of the state and anecdotal evidence suggests ducks have been breeding frenetically.
“It is time for a full duck season to return to Victoria.”