Victoria fox bounty axed
3AW (Melbourne), Mornings, 08/01/2008 09:36am
Compere Nick McCallum says that whilst driving to work on Whitehorse Rd early in the morning he spots foxes running across the road and has learnt that Melbourne has the largest city-based fox populations in the world. McCallum says he is surprised that the Victorian Government has axed the $1m program for bounties on foxes in rural Victoria. Walsh says he is very disappointed but not particularly surprised because it appears the Victorian Government wants to breed up foxes to use them as an election stunt. Walsh describes the fox bounty program and the devastating impact they have on native fauna. Walsh says that over a third of the $1m bounty funding has been used for administrative and advertising costs. Walsh says the Victorian Government claims they stopped the program because they only planned to run it for 12 months; however, it should be a permanent strategy used to eradicate foxes. McCallum says he is not a huge fan of hunting, but can see the merits of hunting foxes. McCallum asks listeners to discuss whether the fox bounty should continue and adds that it is a ‘no-brainer.’
Interviewee: Peter Walsh, Agricultural Spokesperson for Victorian National Party.
Caller Carol says her son has a property in Warranwood and has lost 15 chickens due to foxes and wants the bounty to stay. Carol says there are always foxes in the Maroondah Council area.
Caller Ryan says he was sitting in gardens opposite the Arts Centre one night last year and spotted six foxes therefore the fox-wild dog bounty should continue for all Victorians with a gun licence.
McCallum says Peter Walsh, Agriculture Spokesman for the National Party, commented many people are irate about the removal of the fox bounty. Joe Helper, the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Small Business, says the program was introduced to assist landowners as they struggled through last year’s bushfire period. He agrees the program worked well, but notes it was a one-off. He says other measures to help landowners, such as fumigation and trapping, are ongoing. The cessation of the fox bounty does not mean the Government is halting fox controls, according to Helper. He notes people are still allowed to shoot and trap foxes if required. McCallum wonders why the bounty program is being stopped. Helper denies it is for purely financial reasons and says it would not have the same impact if it was run as a long-term program.
Interviewee: Joe Helper, Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Small Business.
Caller John says the Agriculture Minister’s comments on fox bounty were somewhat careless. He claims the fox bounty in fact was introduced about three years ago, not after last year’s fire. He says the bounty should be brought back, as it was highly successful.
Home > Media monitoring > 2008 > Victoria fox bounty axed