Victorian Parties Reveal Support for Ban on Duck Shooting but Labor Remains Opposed

The Australian Alliance for Animals has today released a series of policy scorecards revealing where parties and candidates stand on recreational duck shooting, among other key animal welfare issues, in the lead-up to the Victorian election.

The scorecards will be promoted via a major digital advertising campaign across multiple social media platforms from this weekend until election day on 26 November.

Alliance for Animals’ Policy Director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the campaign will leave voters in no doubt about where parties and candidates sit on animal welfare reforms. 

“Victorians care deeply about animal welfare and are hungry for information about where their local candidates sit on these important issues,” Dr Goodfellow said.

To date, a total of five parties have expressed their support for ending recreational duck shooting, including the Greens, Animal Justice Party, Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Sustainable Australia Party and the Health Australia Party.

Support was also strong among independent candidates with at least seven backing a ban, including Melissa Lowe (Hawthorn), Georgie Dragwidge (Albert Park), Michael Doyle (Ashwood), Chloe Mackallah (Bayswater), Felicity Frederico (Brighton), Sally Gibson (Brighton) and Elizabeth Woolcock (Nepean).

“We’re pleased to see this level of support for ending the cruel and archaic practice of shooting ducks for fun, and we expect these numbers to grow as our campaign gets into full swing,” said Dr Goodfellow.

“But there are some notable exceptions, with the Victorian Labor Party maintaining its opposition to a ban, despite several individual Labor candidates expressing their strong support.

“There are many members of the Victorian Labor Party who care deeply about animal welfare and wish to see an end to duck shooting so we remain optimistic that compassion will prevail.

Parties and candidates were also asked about their positions on the following key issues:

• phasing out barren battery cages for layer hens

• creating a stronger, more effective Animal Welfare Act

• strengthening enforcement of cruelty offences by creating a Victorian Animal Welfare Authority

• elevating the importance of animal welfare within government by creating a minister for animal welfare.

Responses have been summarised in one state and 12 electorate-specific scorecards, including key seats of Albert Park, Ashwood, Bayswater, South Barwon, Richmond, Nepean and more.

“Ultimately, this is about who is willing to commit to raising the bar for animal welfare, and parties shouldn’t underestimate how important this will be to Victorians on election day, said Dr Goodfellow.

“Together with our core member organisations, we’ll be ensuring the scorecards are circulated far and wide throughout the state to make sure as many Victorians see them as possible” Dr Goodfellow said.

The Alliance is encouraging constituents to contact their local candidates about their positions and will continue updating the scorecards as further responses are received right up to election day on 26 November.

The scorecards and further background information are available at: https://www.allianceforanimals.org.au/victorian-election-2022

NOTES FOR MEDIA

For all media, photo and interview inquiries, please contact Media Advisor Lorna Edwards on 0401 804 171 or email media@allianceforanimals.org.au.  

Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:  Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015. 

About the Australian Alliance for Animals 
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au

The scorecards have been prepared to raise awareness of the interests of animals and prevent animal suffering by summarising the position of political parties and candidates on the key animal welfare policy issues relevant to the charitable purposes of the Australian Alliance for Animals. The Alliance does not promote or oppose political parties or direct people how to vote.

National polling conducted by Roy Morgan Research in March found that:

·       98% of Australians consider animal welfare to be important

·       94% support laws that ensure animals are provided with a good quality of life

·       97% support laws that ensure animals are protected from cruel treatment

·       80% support government doing more to protect animal welfare

·       82% support a national government fund to help farmers improve animal welfare practices

·       74% support the creation of an independent body to oversee animal welfare

·       85% support animal welfare laws reflecting community expectations and best-available science.