Friday, 28 August 2026

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:18): (1455) My question is for the Minister for Environment. Minister, the Victorian government has previously commissioned important research into the economic contribution of recreational hunting, with studies based on the 2013 and 2019 hunting years. The most recent published survey found that recreational hunting by Victorian game licence holders contributed an estimated $356 million to Victoria’s gross state product and supported 3138 full-time equivalent jobs, with 69 per cent of expenditure occurring in regional Victoria. Earlier this year the government commissioned a new study with BDO and Action Market Research surveying Victorian game licence holders. The research closed on 8 March 2026, and the updated report is eagerly anticipated by Victoria’s hunting community and other stakeholders interested in the contribution hunting makes to regional economies. Can the minister provide an update on the progress of the study and advise when the final report is expected to be released?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:19): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and, at the outset, his interest in outdoor activities and particularly identifying the physical and mental health benefits of such activities. We do want those numbers to be higher and higher. We want to promote more activities outdoors. I am certainly committed to doing that in the portfolio responsibility of the Minister for Environment. In relation to the report that you referred to, please let me endeavour to seek an update on the status of it.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:19): I thank the minister, and I eagerly look forward to the update. Building on this growing evidence in recognising the contribution recreational hunting makes to regional Victoria, will the minister work with hunting organisations, regional communities, tourism bodies and other relevant stakeholders to develop a Victorian game hunting tourism strategy to grow the economic and tourism benefits of sustainable recreational hunting in Victoria?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:20): I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary question. Of course the visitor economy that is based on nature-based tourism is increasing year on year. I think it is around $5 billion at last assessment. I know that the new body, Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Victoria, will have an important role in growing participation in outdoor recreation and supporting development in the sector. I think there are many of us that agree that outdoor activities are fantastic for regional economies, and there is always the opportunity to create further growth in this sector. Your question is probably a little more relevant to the minister for tourism, but obviously through previous roles and connections I have a lot of relationships with the existing regional tourism bodies. I will be having conversations more broadly about outdoor activities, hiking, access to parks and the like, so some of your feedback would be very valuable for that.