The Victorian Greens have called an inquiry's recommendation to ban duck shooting across the state a 'watershed moment' for the community groups and wildlife advocates that have fought for a ban for decades.
The Greens say the Victorian Labor Government must now stand up to the shooting lobby and their allies and immediately implement the recommendation.
Earlier today, the parliamentary inquiry into recreational native bird hunting handed down its final report, which recommended a ban on the practice.
This follows decades of pressure from the community, wildlife advocates and the Greens, including former MP Sue Pennicuik who first brought the issue into the Victorian Parliament in her inaugural speech 17 years ago.
Victorian Greens animals spokesperson, Katherine Copsey, said the Government shouldn't need an inquiry to tell it that duck shooting has had its day.
But she said with the release of today's report, the Government had no more excuses to delay action.
Duck shooting has been banned in states like NSW, Queensland and Western Australia for decades, yet to date the Victorian Labor Government has refused to act.
As stated by Victorian Greens animals spokesperson, Katherine Copsey MLC:
"Nothing quite describes the gut-wrenching feeling of hearing a gunshot ring out over an otherwise peaceful morning at Lake Connewarre Reserve, knowing another duck has just been slaughtered.
"Duck shooting is a barbaric practice that has been given the green light by Victorian Labor for far too long - the Government should act swiftly to end the slaughter of our native birds.
"We know Victoria is in the midst of an extinction crisis and we know thousands of waterbirds are already under extreme stress, so to continue to allow duck shooting year on year is nothing short of inhumane.
"This report must be a watershed moment for Victoria. We need to end duck shooting once and for all, and recognise it for what it is: glorified animal cruelty."
