A Seasonal Sham With Devastating Consequences
Questions have been asked about further financial impacts on regional Victoria’s devastated economy due to the reduced duck hunting season this year.
Due to start on the 26 May, the season has been cut to just 20 days, instead of three months.
The daily bag limit has also been reduced from 10 to 2.
The Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has asked the Victorian Minister for Agriculture how much the reduced season is going to cost the regional economy.
“This paltry season means no-one will travel – tens of millions will be lost to the regional economy.
“What’s the point of giving out vouchers for regional tourism with one hand and destroying it with the other?” Mrs McArthur asked in the Victorian Parliament last week.
“This is the same as the Andrews Government closing businesses by its unnecessary state wide COVID lockdown – and then offering millions for the mental health stresses caused.
“Effectively shutting down duck hunting will have the same impact on regional business – devastating pubs, caravan parks, cafes, bakeries.”
“Whether it’s the coronavirus or duck hunting – it’s the same impact on small business. Their doors will shut either way under this government,” she said.
Last week, the COVID lockdown resulted in the cancellation of Victoria Country Week Tennis at Swan Hill. It cost the town $2.5 million in lost revenue.
“That’s one town and one week. Duck season is normally state-wide, across three months with 25,000 registered duck hunters and worth $65 million to the regional economy.
“The maths speaks for itself,” Mrs McArthur said.
The duck hunting season has long been considered a necessary agricultural function in some areas, protecting seed and vegetable crops from devastation. It is also strictly regulated on welfare, conservation and public safety grounds and has historical and cultural significance.
In its submission to the Victorian Government’s Game Management Authority for this year’s season, Field and Game Australia identified that in 2020, the coronavirus restrictions resulted in an estimated 60,403 ducks being harvested.
It is 84 per cent less than normal seasons in which the past ten-year average - excluding last year’s aberration - is 373,229.
It has advised the Government that bird surveys indicate that 2021 would be a ‘typical’ year for bird numbers.
“Coupled with above-average rainfall, a reduced take last year, and the need to revitalise regional economies – this 2021 season sham is insulting to regional Victorians who understand the impacts it will have on multiple fronts.
“If only the Andrews Government were to get out from under their COVID doona located inside the inner urban tram tracks and attempted to learn more about what really matters to rural Victoria,” Mrs McArthur said.
22 February 2021