Parks Victoria Action
On 8th May 2020 Parks Victoria published Media announcements that they would be shooting Brumbies in the Alpine National Park commencing 18th May 2020. They announced an intention to shoot Bogong High Plains Brumbies and about 400 of the eastern alps Brumbies.
Phil Maguire
On Sunday 17 May 2020, Mountain Cattleman Phil Maguire who runs a business in the Omeo area and has standing and a family affinity with Bogong High Plains Brumbies filed an Application in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking an injunction to stop Parks Victoria from shooting Brumbies. He also wants the Brumbies recognised under the EPBC Act for their Alpine Heritage which will give them Commonwealth protection.
The Protection of the Alpine National Park:Feral Horse Strategic Action Plan 2018–2021 states at page 26 no brumbies will be shot and if at any time considered changes necessary, Parks Victoria the Manager, would engage in community consultation. There has been no community consultation. Is Parks Victoria acting "ultra vires" that is, beyond the actual power they hold, if they shoot Brumbies?
Supreme Court Legal Proceedings
The Victorian Supreme Court application was heard before Justice Moore on Monday 18 May 2020. At Court, Parks Victoria agreed not to proceed with shooting until after 1 June 2020, to give time for both parties to prepare submissions. The matter has been relisted for further hearing on Monday 25th May.
Phil Maguire says he is resolute, he wants Parks Victoria to agree to an Order they will not shoot Alpine Parks Brumbies into the future at any time.
How Can we Help Phil Maguire the Brumbies and the Court Action?
Phil is asking for letters to be sent to both Daniel Andrews and Lily DAmbrosio. We suggest a letter in the terms below to be appropriate if you need assistance. Letters are very important to show the Government the public do not want Heritage Brumbies shot, now or ever.
"Dear Minister for the Environment and Premier of Victoria,
I am opposed to any Brumbies in the Alpine National Park being shot by Parks Victoria at any time now or in the future. Parks Victoria must manage the Alpine National Park strictly in accordance with the current management plan, and, as a priority complete an urgent numbers count of the whole of the Alpine National Park area, not selected areas. No numbers count has been taken after the bush fires. In the event a numbers count reveals numbers that require sustainable population control, I want Parks Victoria to firstly give priority to mustering and rehoming in staged increments with approved groups. I oppose removal of Brumbies that will cause Brumbies as a population to become unsustainable. I oppose removal of Brumbies to be sent to knackeries or shot. I support the Victorian Government implementing fertility control in all National Parks in the future, and encourage the Government to invest money and research in this area and stop spending money on lethal control.
To: Lily Dambrosio lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au
To: Daniel Andrews daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au""
"You can also support the Supreme Court Action by contributing to Phil's Legal Costs. Copy your letters to politicians Lily and Dan to Phil, please email them to wonnangatta@gmail.com The more the better. Thanks. (PHIL)
GoFundMe for donations to Phil Maguire's Legal Action:
Victorain ePetition by Ocean Legal
There is an ePetition available for all Victorians to sign as soon as possible. It is scheduled to be tabled in the Parliament of Victoria on 4 August 2020. Details of Sponsorship to be announced soon.
The Heritage Brumby Act (Vic) Bill penned with input of several Brumby groups, will be introduced into Parliament when settled. It is in draft form at this time but is very similar to the Legislation that is in place in New South Wales.
Please visit the Social Media site "brumbylivesmatter" for updates and access to the ePetition, news on Radio Interviews and Publications in newspapers.
The site has grown to over 30,000 members in a short time and the more noise we make the more attention we will get.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/brumbylivesmatter/
#brumbylivesmatter
Visit Phil Maguire's Page Rural Resistance https://www.facebook.com/groups/585289412322451/
for his own updates.
Above all please share this Petition far and wide, we need to increase signatures to show Australia we want our Heritage Brumbies protected.