After devastating bushfires, critics say the Allan Government has abandoned wildlife rescue efforts while allowing hunting to continue, writesSue Arnold.

THE VICTORIAN Labor Government, led by PremierJacinta Allan, is providing clear evidence of what lies ahead for Australias wildlife, ecosystems and environment under Labor governments.

The devastating environmental damage caused by the ferocious bushfires in January and February provides a damning picture of environmental negligence by Allans government.

Georgie Purcell, leader of the Victorian Animal Justice Party and a member of the Victorian Legislative Council, summed up the current situation after ferocious bushfires destroyed more than 400,000 hectares.

In stark contrast to the current concerns,actions and fundingprovided by previous PremierDaniel Andrewsafter theBlack Summer bushfiresburnt 1.5 million hectares across Victoria, Premier Allans response to the recent fires is deeply concerning.

As bushfires tear through Victoria, confused emergency responses, missing resources and government inaction are leaving Australias wildlife to suffer and die.

The Andrews Government acknowledged hundreds of millions of animals were lost in the Black Summer fires in Victoria. As well as recognising areas where the rescue response could be improved.AWildlife Welfare Bushfire Response Action Planwas put into motion.

The Andrews Governments initiatives were funded by a $59 million bushfire biodiversity response and recovery program described as a part of a suite of measures to protect and enhance our precious environment, implemented since the 2019/2020 fires.

Georgie Purcell was heavily engaged in the Andrews Government wildlife welfare round tables organised after the fires.

Theres no available evidence demonstrating DEECA is making food drops, installing water stations or undertaking wildlife surveys.

A Victorian bushfire shows climate change is no longer abstract.

TheAction Networka coalition of Victorian conservation organisations in an open letter to the Victorian Labor government wrote:

Conditions in Victoria are deteriorating with climate change impacts severely impacting the most cleared land state in the nation.

ProfessorTim Flannerysayssouth-eastern Australia(where the state of Victoria is located) has been getting hotter and drier for decades, and 2019 was Australia's hottest and driest year on record, with 2018 being equally dry over south-eastern Australia and almost as hot.

Victoria, with its topography, highly flammable vegetation and frequent exposure to extremely hot, dry, windy weather, hashistoricallyborne a far greater burden of bushfire disasters than other jurisdictions and other regions globally.

AVictorian Parliamentary Inquiryinto the recent fires, primarily pushed by the Liberal and National parties in the Legislative Council, has broad terms of reference, including the impact on the environment and fire service funding. A report is due by 1 June, 2026.

Firefighters did it tough and their concerns are paramount in the Inquiry.

President of theCFA Volunteers group, John Houston,says:

One very obvious and appalling demonstration of the Allan Governments disregard for animal welfare, biodiversity and fire damage is the looming commencement of Victorias recreational duck hunting season. The season runs from 18 March to 8 June, resulting in an estimated 12.2% of Victorias waterbirds killed. Shooting can begin 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset with a nine-bird limit daily.

After a history of campaigning for important social issues, Victorian unions are now engaging in Right-wing culture wars by opposing a proposed ban on duck hunting.

Waterbird populationsin Victoria and across Eastern Australia are experiencing a long-term critical decline, with surveys indicating a 90% drop in abundance over the last four decades.

Victorian waterbirds were heavily impacted by the recent fires.

Based onrecent reports, an estimated 391,900 game ducks were harvested during the 2024 Victorian duck hunting season, representing a 22% increase above the long term average of approximately 320,000 birds.

A report by theGame Management Authorityclaims an estimated 457,400 stubble quail were harvested in 2024, almost triple the long-term average of 159,000.

RSPCA Victoriaestimated between 23,500 and 157,000 ducks were wounded or not killed outright in the 2024 season, resulting in significant animal suffering. The agency estimates duck hunting is an activity undertaken by 0.18% of the population.

According to theGame Management Authority, any harassment of hunters could result in significant fines up to and exceeding $9,600 as well as criminal convictions.

In 2023-2024, theElectrical Trades Union, together with theCFMEUandAMWU, rejected a proposed ban on duck hunting, threatening industrial action if the Government proceeded with a ban.

TheAllan Governmentagreed with the unions and in spite of a Labor-led inquiry recommending a ban on duck hunting, Allan insisted the hunt proceed. No doubt Allan was in sync with her father,Peter Allan, a long-standing member of the ETU, as well as her husband,Yorick Piper, a former Victorian official in the CFMEU.

Political ignorance toward the ongoing environmental destruction of our country is causing devastation that cannot be overestimated.

A coalition of unionssaidif a ban went ahead, they would ban all state Labor politicians from attending BIG union projects, including the governments Big Build projects.

TheBig Buildprojects are currently the focus of claims byGeoffrey Watson SCof corruption at the CFMEU, citing blowouts linked to the union costing taxpayers at least $15 billion.

Unions arguedthat duck hunting is a legitimate, traditional, working-class recreational activity that provides essential mental health benefits, especially for shift workers. Shades of theMakah tribein Washington state, USA, who seek to resume whaling to combat issues like drug and alcohol addiction among their youth.

According to the tribe, killing whales will re-establish traditional values, foster community cohesion to combat the despair and social challenges present on the reservation.

Victorias involved unions see any ban as leading to a ban on fishing, boating and other fantastic pursuits. In failing to adopt the Parliamentary Inquirys recommendation and agreeing with the unions, Premier Allan has, in effect, notified workers that killing wildlife is okay, as it will help any mental health problems.

Thus far, theres no peer-reviewed published research that demonstrates killing ducks and whales will resolve mental health issues, combat drug and alcohol addiction and foster community cohesion.

A state election will be held in November. Whether theres sufficient voter rage over the ongoing environmental negligence by the Allan Government remains to be seen. But the Labor message is loud and clear.

If ducks are in the way of mentally challenged workers, then kill em off. Trouble is, we might all be ducks.

Sue Arnoldis an IA columnist and freelance investigative journalist. You can follow Sue@koalacrisis.

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