Victorian wildlife changes kicked off to independent panel

15 February 2021

The Victorian Government has today announced that the controversial review of that States Wildlife Act has been referred to an independent, expert advisory panel.

This move indicates a level of concern within the Government about the perceived influence of animal rights extremists on policy. Changes to the Wildlife Act could fundamentally affect all human interactions with wildlife, including hunting.

In her media release, Victorian Environment Minister, Lily D'Ambrosio tied this review into the current review of the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. 

The peak hunting and shooting organisations have taken a leading role in shaping the animal cruelty legislation to ensure that the true agenda of the extremist animal rights movement is well understood and that any new legislation provides the dual benefits of ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare are practiced whilst enabling ethical and sustainable hunting.

This collaboration will continue throughout this process, including engagement with MP’s and this new panel and the provision to them of a clear, well evidenced submission on behalf of all hunters.

The review of the Wildlife Act was first mooted in May 2020 following an incident in which more than one hundred and thirty wedge-tailed eagles were illegally killed on an East Gippsland property. The manager of the property was fined $2,500.00 and sentenced to fourteen days in prison. At the time the Victorian Environment Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio made it clear that the seemingly light penalty would lead to changes in legislation "Cases like these, where our native animals are killed in this way, rightly appal Victorians and they appal me" Minister D’Ambrosio said. "The government has pursued all penalties for the parties available under existing legislation, and I have ordered a review of the Wildlife Act to look at how it can be strengthened."