High-rolling tourists visiting Crown Casino are being invited to hunt and kill wombats at a luxury hunting lodge on an 809-hectare (2000 acre) property backing on to Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. The lodge is run by a Chinese businessman, who is a Crown casino partner with alleged crime links.

Wombats are one of our iconic native animals. Wombats are protected in every other state in Australia. Common wombats are a protected species in Victoria, except in 193 districts including Murrindindi where the animals have been declared unprotected wildlife.  

Tensions are boiling over in the tight-knit community, with neighbours reporting they feel “scared” of unlicensed and inexperienced shooters firing powerful weapons close to their properties. I think locals are completely justified in being concerned for their safety as well as that of the effect on their livestock.  

How is killing a wombat sportsmanlike?  I care about our native wildlife as I know a lot of other Aussies do as well. Please help me change legislation to include protection for wombats in all areas of Victoria.