This petition is addressed to the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews. The Buddhist Council of Victoria invites like-minded individuals and organisations to join with us in asking for a permanent end to duck shooting in Victoria.

The recreational shooting of native waterbirds was banned in WA in 1990, in NSW in 1995 and in Queensland in 2005 by other state Labor governments. The brutality and cruelty inflicted on Australia's native waterbirds is unacceptable and barbaric, especially by a Labor government in the 21st century. We join with the RSPCA in saying it is not clear why a state government which prides itself on being progressive had not banned the annual slaughter. We note that in 2022 the Game Management Authority identified a death toll of 265,567 ducks and an estimate of up to another 105,000 ducks wounded but not killed. We also note that many species of waterbirds are endangered and that their numbers are in decline.

We ask that duck shooting be permanently banned and not commence on 16 March 2023 as currently scheduled.