Coalition Against Duck Shooting
Extinction may be a kinder option compared to the unnecessary cruelty and suffering native waterbirds will again be forced to endure just to satisfy the urges of a declining number of duck shooters
How can a progressive Andrews State Labor Government continue to have the same cruelty policy on duck shooting in 2020 as the Bolte Liberal Government had some 60 years ago?
Campaign Director Laurie Levy today said: “It was blatantly obvious that a moratorium on duck shooting should have been called this year.
“During the catastrophic bushfires that destroyed billions of native animals, birds and reptiles, we applauded the Andrews Government’s investment of $17. 5 million for the rescue and medical treatment of injured wildlife as well as the back-up helicopter food drops.
“However, now that the fires are finally out, we are dismayed that the Andrews Government can so callously turn its back on our native waterbirds by supporting the violent fetishes of a dwindling number of duck shooters.
“This decision is even more disturbing since the Andrews Government recognises that animals are sentient beings capable of suffering and feeling fear, happiness, stress and pain.
“The situation is so bad for native waterbirds that even extinction may be a much kinder option, rather than having to suffer the unnecessary violence inflicted by a dying breed of recreational duck shooters.
“Politicians may support this inherent cruelty, but not the public. Public support for our native waterbirds has been responsible for the number of active duck shooters dwindling to less than 0.2 per cent of Victoria’s population. That means 99.98 per cent of Victorians do not shoot native waterbirds.
“Professor Richard Kingsford’s October 2019 aerial survey of waterbirds across eastern Australia, highlighted that waterbird numbers have decreased by a staggering 90 per cent since 1983. This is just another of the many reasons why recreational duck shooting must be banned for all time.
“How can a progressive Andrews State Labor Government continue to have the same cruelty policy on duck shooting in 2020 as the Bolte Liberal Government had some 60 years ago?” Levy concluded.
The Coalition Against Duck Shooting’s volunteer rescue and enforcement team will again need to return to the wetlands to help our native waterbirds.
/Public Release.
