Support the Game Management Authority Amendment Bill 2017
- Target:
- Parliament of Victoria Legislative Council
- Region:
- Australia
- Website:
- www.danielyoungmp.com.au
The Victorian Game Management Authority established in 2014 has been held back by its own legislation to properly regulate game hunting and improve game management, due to the limited nature of its functions and objectives.
Proposed amendments would unlock the potential for the organisation to be more proactive in its role of game management and the management of public game reserves.
The Game Management Authority Amendment Bill 2017 would see the State Government:
Optimise the social, cultural and economic benefits of game hunting;
Support the development of recreational game hunting;
Support the development of commercial game hunting; and
Work cooperatively with game-hunting bodies in territories and the commonwealth.
These aims and objectives are comparable to those held by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, and would support the Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan.
A study in 2013 found that hunting is worth more than $400 million a year to the Victorian economy. Additionally, hunting provides for an estimated 1115 full-time equivalent jobs directly by hunting-related expenditure, with 1268 jobs created through flow-on employment.
The proposed amendments would set the framework by which the Game Management Authority could assist the state in growing the industry, thereby providing more revenue and creating more jobs. It would also assist in promoting the environmental and social benefits that hunting has to offer.
*This petition is funded from the Victorian Parliament’s Electorate Office and Communications Budget.
TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF VICTORIA
The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that:
The Game Management Authority Act 2014 created an independent statutory authority to regulate game hunting and improve game management outcomes in Victoria.
There are more than 50,000 game licences held in Victoria, whilst hunting generates $400 million a year to the Victorian economy and creates 2382 jobs in the state. Additionally, the state’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan calls for sustainable game management.
The Game Management Authority has only 18 staff with a budget of just $5 million to administer licensing and materials to 50,000 state game licence holders.
The Game Management Authority has identified that 137 of the 199 state game reserves are without management plans, and many lack significant infrastructure needs not met by Parks Victoria.
In 2016, the State Government established a statutory authority responsible for the management of Victoria’s fisheries sector. It is tasked with managing recreational pursuits and commercial ventures, as well as administering licensing and compliance of the fisheries sector.
The Petitioners therefore request that:
The Legislative Council calls on the Andrews Government to support passage of the Game Management Authority Amendment Bill 2017, so as to expand the Game Management Authority’s ability to:
1) Optimise social, cultural and economic benefits of game hunting;
2) Support development of recreational game hunting;
3) Support development of commercial game hunting; and
4) Work cooperatively with game-hunting bodies in territories and the Commonwealth.
Furthermore, the amendments would bring the Game Management Authority in line with the same aims and objectives legislated for the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
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The Support the Game Management Authority Amendment Bill 2017 petition to Parliament of Victoria Legislative Council was written by Daniel Young MLC - Northern Victoria Region and is in the category Government at GoPetition.