Fury as Victoria moves not to ban duck hunting despite inquiry recommendation

Animal rights activists and politicians have slammed the Victorian government's decision to keep duck hunting legal, despite an inquiry recommending a ban on the controversial practice. The government today announced it would not ban hunting of duck species in Victoria despite a long-standing push to end the practice. Animal rights activists have labelled the decision inhumane, arguing that some species were under enormous pressure, while others were endangered. Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos confirmed the controversial decision today. "There are a diversity of views on this within the Victorian community and we've tried to listen to all of them," Dimopoulos said. "We accept that duck hunting is a legitimate activity that many thousands of Victorians enjoy and we want to make it safe, responsible and sustainable." The government plans to make changes to hunting laws to reduce the effects on endangered species, including introducing harsher penalties for hunters who break the law. Mandatory training is also being introduced and resources will be increased for the Victorian Game Management Authority. Dimopoulos said the government's approach would focus on animal welfare. "Proficiency has been proven to be one of the best mitigating factors for animal welfare concerns," he said. "The majority (of duck hunters) are not bad-behaved hunters." The move comes after a 2023 inquiry into the sport recommended a ban on hunting. The recommendations were made by a nine-person committee, which found duck hunting had "acute animal welfare" issues and contributed to the loss of large areas of public land. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell today said the inquiry had been a complete waste of taxpayer money. She said the decision marked the end of a "productive, proactive relationship" with the government. "It is simply shameful," she said. "Duck shooters are less than one per cent of the Victorian population and half of those are active. This is a terrible decision to appease a dwindling minority. "I hope they pay the price at the election."