Take action to defend hunting against the animal rights agenda
The current discussion paper on Victoria’s proposed new “Animal Care and Protection Laws” are cause for concern to hunters and other consumptive users of animals.
The move to new laws is driven by an ‘Animal Rights’ agenda that ultimately wants to give animals the same legal rights as humans. This movement has grown in influence over the past fifty years and shows no sign of stopping. Animal rights and animal welfare are very different beasts – as hunters, we have a deep interest in animal welfare, but we cannot submit to the extremist animal rights agenda.
The sorts of statements being made by major party MPs today were unimaginable just a decade ago:
“I am proud of the Andrews Government's strong animal rights agenda, including the imminent introduction of a brand new Animal Welfare Act. That said, there is always more to do. Personally, I am opposed to duck shooting in Victoria and support a review of the government's position on this matter.”
Will Fowles, Labor, Member for Burwood.
“For three months each year, duck hunters, who represent half of 1 per cent of Victorians, kill and bag up to 10 ducks per day. Though hunters are required to carry out ducks killed, hundreds of birds, including endangered species supposedly protected from being shot, are found dead during the season. Victoria’s natural environment and wildlife are unique parts of this state’s identity, and a modern Liberal Party must speak out on behalf of the promotion and preservation of them.”
James Newbury MP, Liberal, Member for Brighton, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.
Making your submission – Closes on Sunday, 16 October
Victoria’s hunting organisations are urging hunters to provide feedback on this discussion paper. The process for this is not as simple as it could be. It appears to be designed to limit feedback and arrive at a predetermined outcome. It will take you about ten minutes to go through the process.
Your submission should state that you have concerns with the proposed new laws because:
The “Plan” is too unclear about how the new laws will look. It is clear that the plan is pushing an animal rights agenda, and animal rights should never be confused with animal welfare. The language in the plan indicates that the authors don’t understand the nature of game hunting and the motivations of game hunters. The new legislation needs to provide clear exceptions for hunting; otherwise, it could be unworkable.
CLICK HERE to make a submission
What comes next
Victoria’s key hunting organisations, the Australian Bowhunters Association, the Australian Deer Association, Field & Game Australia, Victorian Hound Hunters and SSAA Victoria, are making a combined submission when these new laws were first mooted and have again shown a united front to government with a joint submission on the plan, outlining the concerns of hunters.
The associations will continue to lobby the government and the opposition on this issue in the lead-up to and following November’s State Election. Hunters will have more opportunities for involvement in this ongoing campaign.
A draft bill will be released for public feedback in 2023.
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