In a statement made this morning, Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett accused the Greens Party is pedalling in mistruths and trickery about duck hunting. 

The party claimed Mr Barnett pushed ahead with the 2020 Tasmanian duck hunting season against the advice of his own departmental experts. 

This is false. 

Mr Barnett said he had advised previously the Department did not deliver draft advice to him nor to his office, nor advice from the Secretary to change the provisions for the 2020 season.

The Minister also said the decision to open specified reserved land for duck hunting during the 2020 wild duck season was made by the Director of National Parks and Wildlife and Director General of Lands, not Mr Barnett. 

The Tasmanian Government recognises sustainably managed duck hunting as a traditional form of recreation, Mr Barnett said.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment undertakes annual monitoring of harvested species to ensure the sustainability of the takes. 

Mr Barnett concluded his statement by explaining the long-term population monitoring of wild duck populations conducted annually by the DPIPWE showed no evidence of long-term decline in wild duck numbers in Tasmania over this period.

The Department manages an open season to provide access for recreational hunting and has strict regulations and procedures in place to ensure that the hunting of ducks is humane and sustainable, he said.

The Greens should stick with the facts and stop spreading misinformation to suit their own political agenda.