The Game Management Authority (GMA), Victoria's current regulator of hunting, has been accused of unfair treatment towards anti-duck shooting campaigners while allegedly ignoring illegal hunting behavior. The GMA is set to merge with the Victorian Fisheries Authority to form Outdoor Recreation Victoria, a proposal to be debated in parliament this week.
Protesters and wildlife rescuers have filed formal complaints with state integrity agencies, including the anti-corruption commission, alleging biased enforcement.
Allegations of Unfair Treatment
- The GMA posted photos and hometowns of fined rescuers on its Facebook page, leading to abuse and death threats against activists. In one case, a man received a threat of drowning.
- At a March meeting of Field & Game, a GMA officer told hunters not to denigrate protesters to facilitate prosecution, using the term "us hunters" and advising that children under 12 without licenses should be removed from wetlands but not fined.
"The GMA posted photos and hometowns of fined rescuers on its Facebook page, leading to abuse and death threats."
GMA Response
- The GMA stated it uses social media to raise awareness of public safety and penalties for compliance outcomes.
- GMA director of compliance and intelligence Zac Powell said the majority of compliance actions relate to hunting offenses, and statistics do not support bias claims.
- The GMA said staff act impartially per the Victorian public sector code of conduct.
Former Compliance Officer's Criticism
- George Bucchorn, former GMA compliance manager, resigned in 2018 alleging his superiors discouraged investigating hunter breaches. He said GMA behavior towards rescuers has worsened.
- A 2017 independent report found the GMA focused more on managing protesters than policing hunters.
"A 2017 independent report found the GMA focused more on managing protesters than policing hunters."
Concerns Over New Super Body
- Critics, including former GMA board member Bronwyn Orr, warn merging promotion and regulation creates conflict.
- Victorian Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell called for investigation into GMA and opposed the creation of Outdoor Recreation Victoria.
Government Defense
- Minister for Outdoor Recreation Enver Erdogan cited successful examples like the Victorian Fisheries Authority and noted GMA officer numbers increased from 9 to 25.