Parliamentian Andy Meddick will today (Wed.) bring a motion to call off the 2020 duck shooting season. The future of duck shooting has not been debated in the Victorian Parliament since 2011.

Mr Meddick issued a statement: “The most recent annual waterbird survey in Eastern Australia clearly showed that the long-term trend is in decline for six of the eight ‘game’ species of native waterbird and found no indication of any breeding of ‘game’ birds in 2018. Current population levels leave some species perilously close to extinction.

“An economic analysis by the Australia Institute in 2012 showed that claims that duck hunting contribute significantly to the economy of Victoria are false. In monetary terms, revenue from non-hunting tourism is far more important, with an estimated benefit of banning duck hunting at around $60m per year.

“Nature based tourism brings real economic benefits to rural Victoria, however country towns throughout Victoria are denied the opportunity to benefit because people feel unsafe around the wetlands. These sites could thrive from the nature-based tourism industry, attracting bird watchers, kayakers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

“Indigenous communities and environmentalists also oppose shooting and have long documented damage to the land surrounding wetlands. Evidence of sacred trees cut down for firewood, artefacts disturbed and trails of litter left behind.

“In 2007, a Roy Morgan poll of randomly selected city and country Victorians showed 75% wanted a permanent ban on recreational duck shooting. A survey conducted this year gave similar results. Overwhelmingly, strong majorities of all Victorians support an end to duck shooting.

“For many years now, I have joined with a great number of Victorians, people from all walks of life, to bear witness to, and to rescue where possible, native Australian waterbirds. Today we take another step towards banning duck shooting in Victoria,” Mr Meddick said.

“There is no moral, economic, legal or political case for a duck shooting season to go ahead in 2020. I call on the government to listen to the people of Victoria and ensure no season goes ahead.”

“Many crossbenchers will be talking in support of my motion to ban duck shooting, showing the government they easily have the numbers to ban it if they changed their position.”

“Waterbirds in Victoria have suffered tremendously at the hands of shooters, and the suffering will continue until this cruel sport comes to an end,” Mr Meddick said.