The Victorian Upper House has made it clear that it would not stand for the Andrews Labor Government’s plans to begin widespread shooting of brumbies in Victoria’s high country.
Daniel Andrews’ Upper House MPs did not have the courage to vote for Labor’s policy to indiscriminately shoot brumbies in the high country.
The motion, moved by Wendy Lovell, Liberal Member for Northern Victoria called for: “the Andrews Labor Government to cease its plan for the broad scale shooting of brumbies in Victorian national parks”.
Labor’s Upper House members, including the Minister for Agriculture, Jaclyn Symes, the Minister for Roads, Jaala Pulford and the Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, Gayle Tierney, Labor Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing and Labor Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp, refused to vote for their own policy, which is to begin shooting brumbies in coming weeks. The Liberal Democrats strongly supported the motion, including Mr Tim Quilty, who represents Northern Victoria.
The motion was led by Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, and both the Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath and the Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur also spoke strongly in favour of the motion.
Brumbies are an iconic part of our State’s cultural identity, and whilst maintaining biodiversity in Victoria’s parks is necessary, any management of brumby populations must be conducted humanely and sustainably.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Environment, Bridget Vallence:
“High Country communities have made it clear they don’t support Labor’s plan to shoot brumbies, and now Daniel Andrews’ own Labor MPs have rejected his plan for indiscriminate shooting of brumbies.
“A cull is not the only option available, and Daniel Andrews must immediately intervene to stop this cull and engage with regional communities.”
Comments attributable to the Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell:
“I have fought for years to protect brumbies in our high country. These proud animals are part of our culture and heritage and deserve better than Daniel Andrews’ planned execution.
“The Government’s ill-conceived plan was contradicted by its own documents and now Labor MPs have, in effect, voted to cease the Andrews Labor Government plan to shoot our brumbies.”
