Friday, 28 August 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (15:37): (2763) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Environment, and the action that I seek is for the government to adopt a bird flu response that is consistent with other states. Just yesterday it was reported that hundreds of dead birds have accumulated around the Glenelg River estuary at Nelson in Victoria, just 3 kilometres from the South Australian border. Local ecologists have estimated that at least 400 bird carcasses have been left discarded in that area. There are concerns that more migratory birds will arrive in the coming weeks and make this situation significantly worse.

Bird flu is a national emergency, and we desperately need a consistent approach across the country. As authorities have repeatedly pointed out, migratory birds do not adhere to state boundaries, and neither does this virus. Right now we are seeing anything but that national approach, as is evidenced by the situation at Nelson near the Victoria–South Australia border. In South Australia, on their side, crews are taking an active approach by collecting dead birds and responding to sick wildlife. In fact the South Australian government has deployed dedicated teams working along the Limestone Coast who are collecting and disposing of dead birds and euthanising the sick ones. They have also established a dedicated bird carcass bin in Robe. We are even seeing the South Australian government paying birdwatchers to monitor for symptoms.

Meanwhile, in stark contrast, the Victorian government has been behind on this issue. In Nelson residents are being left to watch dead birds, including pelicans, magpies and ravens, accumulate along our waterways without a comparable government response. Like locals have been warning, I also hold serious concerns that leaving carcasses built up in one area will only lead to a higher risk of transmission to other species. Government officers have publicly said they are working with local councils and landholders, but it is clear that that is not enough. Residents are urging the Victorian government to deploy crews to collect these carcasses, as is being done elsewhere.

What is most frustrating is that we have rescue groups such as Vets for Compassion, who stand ready and able to head out into the field and do this work immediately. They just need to be given the green light. These people hold the required skill sets, and the ongoing decision to not let them into the field highlights the persistent disrespect that is shown to our hardworking wildlife rescue volunteers. The Victorian government have not been prepared for the consequences of this virus reaching our wildlife because they have not heeded the warning calls so far, so now that this virus is here and is wreaking havoc, I call on the minister to allow boots on the ground to ensure a properly resourced response.