Anti-duck hunting bill rejected
ABC Riverland SA, Renmark. Riverland Today, 09 Dec 2009 10:39AM
Mark Parnell, Greens Member for the Legislative Council, discusses his attempt to introduce legislation to end duck hunting in South Australia. Parnell’s bill was defeated last week and says it is a perennial issue that will come back. Parnell says if a ban doesn’t stop the sport, then the decline in shooters will. Parnell notes the government declared a bag limit this year, but still let the season go ahead against the advice of their own wildlife advisory committee. Parnell concedes there is an argument for the scientific culling of animals such as koalas on Kangaroo Island, but recreational sport needs to be examined as a society. Parnell adds that many other states have banned it, such as Western Australia 20 years ago, New South Wales and Queensland. Parnell notes the criticism of him was that he was in bed with ‘radicals’ and points out that he also has the support of the RSPCA. Parnell hopes that this ‘cruel sport’ will go the way of battery hens and horse jumps racing, adding he has seen Department of Environment evidence of shooters hitting endangered species like black swans. The compere notes the bill was voted down by Liberals, Labor, Family First and the No Pokies Independents and invites callers on the issue. Parnell says the Liberal spokesperson read an email from the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia stating ducks are free-range food and why wouldn’t people want to eat it, adding that many politicians are concerned with keeping everyone on side.
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