Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 584, I ask that the name of Senator Stoker be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators McMahon, Canavan, McDonald, Davey and Stoker, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Australia's hunters and shooters contributed 2.4 billion to our economy in 2018, while recreational hunting made a net contribution of $335 million, adding 3,300 jobs,

(ii) game hunting expenditure has created 2,383 jobs in the State of Victoria, 1,115 as a direct result of hunting expenditure and 1,268 of which were a result of flow-on effects (2013),

(iii) the economic impact of all hunting by game licence holders in Victoria is $177 million, with a flow-on impact of $262 million and a total impact of $439 million,

(iv) regional communities have missed out on considerable revenue from hunting as a result of the summer bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic, and

(v) hunters and shooters are more likely to meet sufficient physical activity requirements than the average Australian adult; and

(b) condemns state Labor Governments for:

(i) Failing to recognise and respect the considerable social, economic and environmental benefits of hunting and shooting to communities across regional Australia, and

(ii) their bias and discriminatory decision to restrict firearm and ammunition sales using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse.

Question agreed to.