Debating the shooting of duck and quail......
Extract from Hansard Record of Proceedings First Session of the Fifty-Second Parliament, Wednesday, 1 November 2006
'In particular, I want to place on record my sincere gratitude and thanks to various people, beginning with Des Boyland and his team at the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. They did great work to organise this campaign.' Ronan Lee, ALP, Indooroopilly, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth
…has probably never eaten meat in his life, let alone a quail or a duck. …He needs to go and get a good steak into him by the look of him.' Vaughan Johnson, NPA, Gregory, Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads
'I rise to a point of order. It is the lead in the ducks that I do not like.' Ronan Lee, ALP, Indooroopilly
'…this bill is not about the birds; it is about politics. It pays lip-service to the EPA's charter to protect and preserve our native flora and fauna but humbly begs and scrapes before the green radicals.' Rosemary Menkens, NPA, Burdekin, Shadow spokesperson for the Environment
'I ask members of this parliament: what is so radical about having a problem with animal cruelty?' Ronan Lee, ALP, Indooroopilly
The campaign to ban the recreational shooting of duck and quail ended on 1 November 2006 when the Queensland Parliament passed amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This amendment by the Queensland Government marks the successful final stage of the long-running campaign to ban a practice outlawed in NSW, the ACT and Western Australia.
Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr told State Parliament that the shooting of ducks and quail for sport was not an appropriate recreational activity in this day and age.
The intention to pass the bill had been announced by former Environment Minister Desley Boyle in August this year.
Public support and interest in hunting had been dropping in recent years. In 2004, the last declared season in which duck and quail hunting was permitted, only 374 permits were issued while 20 years ago, in 1984, 1800 permits were issued.
Wildlife Queensland's role
The campaign was a cooperative effort by Wildlife Queensland, Birds Queensland, the RSPCA, Animal Liberation and Queensland Conservation Council.
The practice was opposed on the grounds of cruelty and dropping bird populations.
Wildlife Queensland members played a huge role in pushing the Queensland Government to make the decision. More than 5000 specially printed postcards were sent to the Minister's office, urging the government to take this step; Wildlife Queensland supporters were responsible for 3000 of those cards.
More information on the campaign against the recreational shooting of duck and quail.
For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194. |
