This decision is again contrary to Labor’s own parliamentary inquiry which recommended a total ban on native bird hunting from 2024 citing the long-term decline of native birds, animal welfare concerns regarding wounding rates, the unacceptable wounding and death rates of threatened species, and the inability to enforce compliance as the major factors leading to its recommendation.
The decision ignores thousands of hectares of dry and drying wetlands across northern Victoria and large areas of Victoria in extended drought declaration.
This lack of refuge sites means declared hunting sites will be isolated with few options of escape or relief for waterfowl including endangered migratory birds, brolgas and other ‘protected’ species.
The threat to Australian waterfowl from avian influenza ( H5N1) currently spreading around the world resulting in the deaths of more than 300 million birds worldwide should have seen the Victorian Government taking a precautionary approach, declaring a closed season.
This increased activity and transportation of waterfowl around the state during the hunting season also increases the risk of H7N8 strain currently being detected on a growing number of poultry farms in northern Victoria, further impacting the poultry industry.
It would appear the minister has taken advice from very select and restricted sources including those profiting within the hunting industry and the Electrical Trades Union and not considered broader issues critical to endangered species, rural industries and communities.
John Pettigrew, Shepparton
Calling out Plibersek’s ‘green tide’
You wouldn’t think fishermen in our southern oceans and farmers in northern Victoria and southern NSW would have much in common. But they do.
Their livelihoods are all threatened by a Federal Environment and Water Minister who won’t listen to their concerns, but is ever ready to make rulings that defy common-sense.
In what has been labelled ‘Plibersek’s green tide’, the minister has changed marine park rules to ban fishing, and as a consequence the fishermen say it will affect livelihoods and force up seafood prices.
Simon Boag, of the Southern Shark Industry Alliance, was quoted saying: “It reeks of poor decision making — failing to get in the car and come to regional Victoria and Tasmania and actually talk to fishermen about the reality of what they are proposing.”
Talking to those affected by her decisions and listening to viable alternatives is not something Minister Plibersek seems to care about.
In northern Victoria and southern NSW she barges ahead with water buybacks, despite all the evidence that they are unnecessary and have significant adverse social and economic impact on communities.
Yet numerous invitations to Minister Plibersek to visit these regions and get a greater understanding of how to effectively balance water management so alternatives can be considered are ignored.
It seems the minister is too comfortable in her north Sydney lifestyle to bother about the impact of her actions on those who are trying to put food on our tables.
So when you pay more at the supermarket for staple foods, or start paying more for your seafood, please think about why this is occurring, and give a nod to the minister who is making a unique contribution.
Especially one in a government which claims it wants to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Shelley Scoullar,
Speak Up Campaign chair
Support farmers, not nuclear reactors
Some politicians propose replacing coal-fired power stations with nuclear reactors.
Even pro-nuclear group Nuclear for Australia concedes nuclear reactors use at least 1.2 times more water than comparable coal-fired power, and the proposed reactors are much larger than existing coal plants, meaning water use could more than double.
Some suggest desalination plants to supply water for nuclear reactors, but this requires seawater, and nearly all the proposed reactor sites are a long way inland. Desalination is also extremely costly.
As a core principle, Farmers for Climate Action stands for protecting regional water supplies and does not support making water scarcer or more expensive for farmers.
Natalie Collard,
Farmers for Climate Action
