Feathers fly over hunt green light

Luke Voogt

Geelong Independent

18 May 2020

A Geelong-based MP’s pledge to “descend on local wetlands with duck rescuers” following the return of hunting has ruffled the feathers of a political opponent.

Liberal MP Bev McArthur took aim at fellow Member for Western Victoria Andy Meddick, accusing him of using the COVID-19 pandemic to push his ideology.

“The Animal Justice Party seem to go looking from crisis to crisis, as to how they can use it to push their political aims,” she said.

“Shooters’ right to hunt ducks is just as much of a legitimate activity as Mr Meddick and his anti-farming, anti-country-pursuits mates’ right to protest.”

Duck hunting would provide an economic stimulus that would “somewhat” alleviate massive losses in regional tourism, Mrs McArthur said.

“Plenty” of recent rain would have caused wetlands to “flourish” and increased duck populations “exponentially”, she added.

Mrs McArthur slammed the Animal Justice Party MP’s suggestion duck hunters would ignore social distancing laws.

“Perhaps he would be better off as the Member for Brunswick or Melbourne, if he is that willing to be derogatory about so many of his western Victorian constituents,” she said.

Mr Meddick made the allegation last week as he pledged to join local duck rescuers over the weekend.

“Duck shooters already break the law and get away with it, we see it each and every year,” he said.

“To think they won’t break distancing laws and put regional communities at risk is completely misguided and irresponsible.”

The pledge came as state government relaxed stage 3 restrictions, making both ducking shooting and rescuing injured birds legal again.

“I am proud to be working alongside volunteer wildlife rescuers and vets from my electorate as they perform the grueling task of retrieving and assessing our injured wildlife,” Mr Meddick said.

“As far as I’m concerned, protecting our vulnerable wildlife is an essential service.”

Mr Meddick slammed state government’s decision to allow the hunting season to resume until June 8.

“Daniel Andrews is turning sanctuaries into killing fields,” he said

“After the worst bushfires in history, native animals need sanctuary now more than ever – not cruelty.

“During a pandemic when Victorians are being advised to only leave their homes when needed to keep the community safe, why on earth are shooters being given a green light to travel to regional communities solely for the purpose of maiming and killing wildlife?”