This petition is addressed to the Victorian Premier and the Parliamentarians. The Buddhist Council of Victoria invites like-minded individuals and organisations to join us in requesting permanent Recreational native bird hunting in Victoria.

The recreational shooting of native waterbirds was banned in WA in 1990, NSW in 1995, and Queensland in 2005 by other state labor governments. The brutality and cruelty inflicted on Australia's native waterbirds is unacceptable and barbaric; we are now in the 21st century. We join with the RSPCA in saying it is not clear why a state government that prides itself on being progressive had not banned the annual slaughter. We note that in 2022, the Game Management Authority identified a death toll of 265,567 ducks and an estimate of up to another 105,000 ducks wounded but not killed. We also note that many species of waterbirds are endangered and that their numbers are in decline.

Wildlife Victoria also opposes any activity that causes pain and suffering to native animals and advocates for abolishing duck hunting in Victoria.

We ask that Recreational Native Bird Hunting in Victoria be permanently banned and not commence in 2025 as scheduled.