Thursday 10 November 2016
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford today failed to explain why the State Government’s long-promised plan for hunting in Victoria is not being released.
In question time today The Nationals’ new Member for Northern Victoria Luke O’Sullivan asked Minister Pulford to explain the five month delay in the release of the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan.
Field and Game Australia chairman Bill Patterson told October’s issue of Conservation and Hunting magazine that the government’s dragging its feet on this was a “great cause for concern”.
“Jaala Pulford is failing Victoria’s hunting community ” Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said.
“The great fear amongst hunters is that Jaala Pulford is being blocked by members of her own government who are anti-hunting and who want to deny the recreational environment and economic benefits that hunters deliver to Victoria.”
Last week Victoria’s Game Management Authority announced that there are now 50 000 registered hunters in Victoria so it beggars belief that the Andrews Government won’t recognise and support such a large recreation sector which contributes so much in Victoria.
“The resignation of respected GMA chair Roger Hallam five months ago has been a further blow to hunters and the long delay in filling this role is further cause for concern ” Mr Walsh said.
“The Liberal Nationals are strong supporters of Victoria’s hunters and we understand the importance that hunting plays in pest management and regional tourism opportunities.”
Mr O’Sullivan said hunting contributes around $450 million to Victoria’s economy each year and a lot of that is spent in country areas.
“Jaala Pulford needs to work harder to influence her city-centric leftie colleagues and get the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan out without delay ” Mr O’Sullivan said.