NO. You did not misread the title. Yes. Our government is taking away your right to protect your stock and any other animal from Wild dogs and Dingoes. Why? Well, it’s all politics.
The Victorian government has made radical changes to the ‘Wild Dog Management Plan,’ and all farmers of livestock should be absolutely alarmed.
Back in 2013 the government made a vow to research the dingo and wild dog menace and their populations – but that research didn’t eventuate.
Now, the government has announced that they will research the dingo and wild dog populations in the twelve months to October 2024! If our government can’t do it in eleven years, what makes them think they can do it in one – and how accurate is that information likely to be?
The wildlife.vic.gov.au website clearly states:
The recent scientific evidence represents a significant change in the knowledge that underpins current policy and the regulatory framework for managing wild dogs and dingoes in Victoria. This information necessitates a review and for government to agree to a future policy for dingo conservation and management in Victoria.
The review will be finalised by October 2024 and will consider the new research alongside the rights and cultural obligations of Traditional Owners, and the need to balance the conservation of the dingo with the need to minimise the impacts from predation on graziers, including alternatives to lethal control.
The new unprotection order will revoke and replace the order made in October 2023 and will have effect for the remainder of the term of the previous Order (i.e. until 1 October 2024).
The new Order is different from the previous Order in that the areas where dingoes are unprotected excludes the northwest of the state (which was covered by the previous Order). This new Order excludes northwest Victoria due to the risk of extinction of its local dingo population.
There will be no change to the existing regulatory arrangements across the rest of the State, with the new unprotection order remaining in place until 1 October 2024.
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It has been put to the government to disclose where this new scientific evidence has come from, but no response has been forthcoming. From the information above, it appears clear where this change to regulatory framework is going - and if you think that’s bad, then it gets much worse.
The plan was revised after Animals Australia launched a Supreme Court challenge to the order, which was made on the recommendation of Labor politicians - former environment minister Ingrid Stitt, former agriculture minister Gayle Tierney, and former outdoor recreation minister Sonya Kilkenny (before the October cabinet reshuffle).
The Animals Australia legal counsel, Shatha Hamade, said the very survival of dingoes as a species was now in question.
“To use ‘livestock predation’ as an excuse to justify the killing of dingoes is illogical given the industry’s own research shows that the vast majority of livestock deaths relate to farm management practices,” she said.
By their own definition; Agriculture Victoria and DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) - the dingo is “a threatened, protected species. As Victoria’s largest native apex predator, the dingo plays an important ecological role in shaping ecosystem health.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian government said the 12-month order would allow more work to be done on appropriate protections for dingoes.
Dingoes are listed as a threatened species in Victoria. The spokesperson said the government would conduct further assessment of dingo conservation status, population and distribution across Victoria in the coming months.
Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Association president Alan Harris addressed the members, advising them of the changes to government policy on wild dog management.
“We would like to make you aware of the current situation in Victoria regarding the Wild Dog Management Plan,” he said.
“The Victorian Government only renewed for one year until October 1, 2024, and there is the very real possibility that it will not be renewed after that.
“The situation would clearly affect all livestock producers around the state if there is no control of Wild Dogs permissible.
“Our Merino Sheep and Wool industries along with our Rural Communities are most vulnerable to this decision.
“We are asking that if you are concerned you can help by, please contacting your local member and writing to your local papers and Victorian rural papers to further raise this matter.”
The Victorian Farmers Federation have responded to the changes with the following declaration:
“The Victorian Government’s unilateral action to protect the dingo in the states North-West, has come as a shock to farmers and the community,” they said.
“The VFF has been highly critical of this decision and has met with Agriculture Victoria to express our concern around the validity of the decision.
“We will continue to place strong pressure on the Government to reverse their decision and to ensure that farmers can protect their livestock from wild dog and dingo attacks.
“The VFF is focussed on achieving a clear outcome that would see farmers having confidence and certainty around the government’s support for practical wild dog management.”
Victoria Valley superfine wool sheep breeders, John and Rhonda Crawford who run Rock-Bank Merino Stud– have been battling the government on this ‘Wild Dog Management Plan’, and before that - the government’s plan to introduce dingoes into the Grampians.
“It’s beyond stupid, it simply defies logic!” John Crawford said.
Rhonda Crawford explained that while they had a win on the government’s attempts to introduce dingoes into the Grampians National Park - the government changed focus and are now determined to allow existing wild dogs and dingoes to roam free and uncontrolled in all areas of Victoria.
“We had a public meeting in Dunkeld, we had 165 people turn up - from all over the place, and interstate - the hall wasn’t big enough for them all - we invited every politician but all except Bev Macarthur - Western Victoria Legislative Council Liberal Party were busy - she was the only politician to come and she spoke to those in attendance.
“After two hours of information, there was (a) vote as to who wanted the existing (for the last 30 years) Wild Dog Management plan, with buffer zones and the right to shoot or bait, to continue - the audience was asked to raise their hand in support; and the result was a resounding yes vote, with a group of five animal activists casting a no vote,” Mrs Crawford said.
John Crawford also raised the fact, that if these wild dogs and dingoes were able to grow in population, without any form of control, then all the work that has been done over decades to breed the eastern barred bandicoots and the mallee guinea fowl, among others - will be for nothing. They will be wiped out.
“Don’t think this is just about sheep - new born calves and foals and even your cute domestic dogs are all at risk.”
He finds it “beyond belief” that Animals Australia would preference the mauling of one animal over another - but it fits their agenda.
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My opinion
“All these changes to the Wild Dog Management Plan are set to go through in October.
“There is limited time to kick up. As a farmer, if you want any sort of control over wild dogs over your livestock - your income - then make a big fuss now.
“I can assure you that this is all political.
“The Labor government needs to appease the Greens - and thus Animal liberationists like Animals Australia, and the Animal Justice Party in order to keep political control of this state.
“Animals Australia want us all to be vegetarian, so will use this political manoeuvring to push this agenda to end livestock farming.
“As farmers, we generally just go about our business but this legislation is going to ruin farmers and potentially the entire industry in this state.
“Next month, I will report on farmers that have applied for permits to control wild dogs in the north west and the north east and have had their applications rejected. They can provide evidence of the mauling of their flocks - but still no permit! This issue is not going away.”
