By Ewen McRae
Two Melton locals are calling on the state government to improve protection of native species following recent reports of wombat hunting in parts of Victoria.
Melanie Bond and Amy Sutton said media reports that shone a light on hunting in Victoria had shaken them.
Wombats can be killed in parts of Victoria without the need for a permit but are protected in all other Australian states.
“I was absolutely devastated to read those reports on wombat hunting,” Ms Bond said. “Wombats are my favourite native animal. They only live for about five years in the wild as it is … forcing myself to read those articles to understand the issue was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do recently.
“To call it hunting when it’s an animal that moves about 5km/h is terrible, it’s inhumane.
“It’s apalling to be in one of the most progressive states in Australia and know that this is happening.”
Ms Bond called on the state government to overhaul animal protection laws to bring them into line with the rest of the country.
“The first step would be to have those areas where hunting is allowed included in the protection of wombats and other native animals,” she said. “The second step would be ensuring that education of cohabitation is more widely spread.
“I want this to stop, and I want a lot more publicity around what’s happening with these people who are being enticed to come here and hunt.
“They need to know that it is not an accepted part of Australian life and that we really value our wildlife.”
Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio told Parliament last week that she had ordered an investigation into wombat protection in the state.
“I have instructed my department to undertake a full investigation into the allegations and reports of what appears to be some very, very disturbing practices,” she said.
When asked if the government would put an immediate halt to illegal wombat killings, Ms D’Ambrosio said she would wait on her department, but that it was “an offence to kill, take, control or harm wildlife, including wombats, without authorisations”.
The final report is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
