The State Government has again been asked to end its expensive brumby shooting program in the face of significant cuts to other pest plant and animal control programs.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said at a time when we have wild dogs killing stock, sambar deer numbers out of control, feral pig numbers continuing to increase and blackberry, African lovegrass and English broom spreading rapidly, the government is cutting effort in these areas, but has been silent on its horse shooting program.
“The State recently announced the gutting of Agriculture Victoria’s pest and weed team, a program that was fighting an overwhelming battle against the spread of these pest species,” he said.
“These were programs that helped our farming and rural sectors, where a program like the brumby culling does nothing for farmers. The brumbies are not killing stock or invading farmland.
“I find it astonishing that they have cut these jobs, that I would describe as essential services, while being silent on a horse shooting program very few in the electorate support – it is just madness.
“This is a government that said it would not cut front line jobs. I am not sure you could get any more front line than this. These positions should be reinstated.
“Due to the prevailing silence on the brumby shooting program, I asked the Minister in Parliament this week whether it would be discontinued. They have one month to provide an answer.”
