LC EPC Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria Submission 933

Introduction

This submission has been prepared by the national submissions working group within the Animal Justice Party (‘the AJP'). The working group makes this submission on behalf of the AJP with the approval and the endorsement of the Board of Directors. The AJP was established to promote and protect the interests and capabilities of animals by providing a dedicated voice for them in Australia’s political system, whether they are domestic, farmed or wild. The AJP seeks to restore the balance between humans, animals and nature, acknowledge the interconnectedness and interdependence of all species, and respect the wellbeing of animals and the environment alongside that of humans and human societies. The AJP advocates for all animals and the natural environment through our political and democratic institutions of government. Above all, the AJP seeks to foster consideration, respect, kindness and compassion for all species as core values in the way in which governments design and deliver initiatives and the manner in which they function. The following submission is underpinned by these fundamental beliefs. The AJP has policies on various native animals and environmental issues that are relevant to this inquiry [1]; this submission puts forward commentary in line with these policies.

Declaration, Conflicts of Interest and Request to appear as a witness:

• The main contributor to this submission is Dr Nadine Richings • Conflicts of Interest: o Dr Richings has made a submission through her company enRICHed Pursuits o Dr Richings works as an Adviser (Electorate Officer) to Andy Meddick MLC in the Victorian Parliament • Dr Richings wishes to appear as a witness at the hearings for the inquiry; she has also requested to appear as a witness as Dr Nadine Richings, enRICHed Pursuits.

The purpose of this inquiry is stated in part (3) of the Terms of Reference: "inquire into, consider and report, within 12 months, on the decline of Victoria’s ecosystems and measures to restore habitats and populations of threatened and endangered species". In this submission we will address the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the inquiry by:

1. defining the problem: The Biodiversity Emergency (ToR a), 2. discussing the law and government decision-making (ToR b & c), and 3. posing solutions to tackle the Biodiversity Emergency (ToR d, e, f).

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The Problem: A Biodiversity Emergency

(a) the extent of the decline of Victoria’s biodiversity and the likely impact on people, particularly First Peoples, and ecosystems, if more is not done to address this, including consideration of climate change impacts

The world is in the 6th mass species extinction, and it is driven by one species – humans [2-4]. The world’s biodiversity (variation in life) is under intense stress and pressure, causing a loss of biodiversity that has led to a Biodiversity Emergency. This is recognised and reported by scientists around the world [3-5] and by leading global organisations such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) [2]. It is an existential crisis and global emergency, as the health and wellbeing of the planet, environment, biodiversity and individual species, including humans are interdependent and connected.

These threats to nature and decline in biodiversity and ecosystems are also reported in Victoria. The 2018 State of the Environment Report from Victoria’s Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability was damning [6]. The status of 60% of the Biodiversity Indicators are rated as “poor” and none are rated as “good”; in terms of trends, 51% of the Biodiversity Indicators are deteriorating and only 1 out of 35 had improved and that is Private Land Conservation. The Australian 2019-2020 fire season was like no other; the fire events were extreme and burnt an estimated 97,000 km2 of south and eastern Australia [ 7, 8]. According to a study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund, an estimated 3 billion native vertebrate animals were killed or displaced, making this the most devastating wildfire anywhere on the planet in modern history [9]. No-one knows how many invertebrates were killed. In addition, the independent review of the federal environment laws has concluded that the law has failed; Australia's biodiversity is in dire straits [10].

Drivers of Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Decline The five main drivers of biodiversity loss are recognised scientifically and globally [11] and can be further categorised as follows: 1. Exploitation (use, abuse, disregard, over-exploitation): animals, habitats & ecosystems, resources (e.g. land, water, air) 2. Habitat loss (changed land use): terrestrial, freshwater, marine 3. Pollution: plastics, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, land, water, air 4. Climate Change: animal agriculture, land clearing & logging, fossil fuels. (N.B.: climate change is a massive issue, yet it is only one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss; one of the main outcomes of climate change is biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline, i.e. loss of life on Earth) 5. Introduced species: farmed animals, free-living animals, plants, micro-organisms

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The drivers of biodiversity loss are impacted by the increasing human population, consumption and various human activities. The main human activities are animal agriculture, plant agriculture, logging, the built environment (Development), hunting/shooting/fishing/trapping, fossil fuels (Mining & Use), mineral mining, and other miscellaneous activities (e.g. recreation). The impacts of human activities can be considered against the five drivers and many are reported in an impact matrix developed by Dr Nadine Richings (See Appendix I). Some specific impacts of human activities against the drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline are detailed in Table 1; four issues are highlighted here.

Kangaroos Animals, resources and habitats are all exploited through use, abuse and disregard. An excellent example to illustrate the problem is kangaroos, which are critical species in the Australian environment. The earliest kangaroos appeared about 25 million years ago (mya) and evolved to modern kangaroos by about 3 mya, through adaptation to the changing climate and environment, especially to the formation of grasslands [30]. When there is a natural balance in the environment, kangaroo numbers are balanced through factors such as competition and predation. However, humans are altering the balance of nature; affecting the quality and quantity of species present in various ecosystems. The dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is the apex predator in Australia, but humans have killed so many dingoes in Victoria, they are listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Loss of dingoes has reduced predation and probably altered kangaroo populations [31]; however, kangaroo joeys are taken by foxes and this limits kangaroo populations [32]. In the very best conditions and, if the joey avoids predation, a female kangaroo may produce one young to independence in 12-18 months [33]; just one, if everything goes right. They most certainly do not "breed like rabbits" as some wrongly claim. The home grasslands of kangaroos have been exploited for farming, in particular, for animal agriculture of introduced species such as sheep and cows; the Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands are critically endangered with less than 5% remaining [21]. In addition to losing their habitat, urbanisation and climate change have pushed kangaroos into human urban habitats and created a perceived population problem, i.e. there are simply more kangaroos at the edges of cities and more humans are therefore engaging with them, but there are not necessarily more kangaroos. Kangaroos are vilified as "pests"; considered to be an irritation and nuisance for development and to damage infrastructure and compete with introduced, farmed species. They are shot in Victoria under an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) or through the Victorian Government Kangaroo Harvest Program, through which the government uses them as a resource and profits from their meat, fur and skins. Total exploitation of these iconic and quintessential Australians. This cruelty and abuse is well-documented [35] and overseas markets for kangaroo products are closing as people around the world recognise with horror the disgusting exploitation of these unique and majestic animals [36-39]. Kangaroos exist only in Australia; they will not exist anywhere if we continue to kill, vilify and exploit them.

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Bushfires: Effects of recent megafires on species threat listings New research underscores the need for a new set of environmental standards that set legally enforceable rules for environmental protection. The megafires that occurred between July 2019 and February 2020 were unprecedented in their extent and severity within Australia’s subtropical, Mediterranean and temperate bioregions [7]. They burnt 97,000 km2 of south and eastern Australia, sweeping through diverse natural ecosystems, including those that do not normally burn such as World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest [8]. Even in inherently flammable ecosystems, many animals and plants rely on patches of unburnt vegetation to survive fires and acquire resources like food and shelter as surrounding burnt vegetation regenerates [40, 41]. The extent and severity of recent megafires have major implications for long-term population persistence. Recent megafires overlapped the habitat of 725 non-threatened vertebrate species, and 104 species currently listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act [42]. Ninety-one species had more than 30% of their habitat burnt, and 21 of these species are already listed as threatened. Concerningly, three species had more than 80% of their habitat burnt: the Kangaroo Island Dunnart and Long-footed Potoroo were already listed as threatened with extinction and Kate’s Leaf-tailed Gecko is not currently listed but is a narrow-range endemic. The level of overlap between the megafires and the distributions of habitat equates to dramatic declines in abundance and potentially a limited capacity for population recovery [42]. To prevent further declines, it is critical that Australia and Victoria reassess the threat status of fire-affected species and take rapid action to help populations recover. A new set of national and Victorian environmental standards setting legally enforceable rules for the protection of biodiversity will help to prevent catastrophic loss of species under changing fire regimes and global warming.

Introduced (non-native) species Non-native animal species, introduced to Australia by people for varying activities, are modifying the environment, competing with native species and contributing to biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. These human activities include shooting, hunting and fishing (e.g. rabbits, foxes, deer, European carp), animal agriculture (e.g. sheep, cows, pigs, goats), biocontrol (e.g. cane toads) and the use of animals for labour and companionship (e.g. horses, donkeys, camels, dogs, cats). All these actions are exploitation of other species - use, abuse and disregard. Various non-native species have either escaped, been lost or abandoned, or are permitted to free-roam by humans. Many individual animals died horrible deaths; some individuals and species have survived and are now free-living in the Australian environment. People are responsible for the impact of these non-native species through poor decision-making and accountability, lack of appreciation of actions and disregard for native species and the environment. While we urgently need to address the impacts of non-native species on Australia’s biodiversity, we must not shift the blame by vilifying the non-native species. Australia's Biodiversity Emergency is driven by people through exploitation, habitat loss (land-use change), pollution, climate damage and non-native species, and these drivers are all in turn driven by human activities and choices. The AJP holds the position that the treatment of all animals, regardless of their Animal Justice Party Page 8 of 24 8 of 26

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origin, should be humane and compassionate. Generally, people think in terms of two options: should they stay, or should they go? If the decision is - go - then the chosen method is usually violent; shoot, poison or trap then kill. However, there is another option - the middle ground. This is where we apply equal consideration to the non-native species; respect that they have needs, wants and rights and that they are in their predicament because of us and our thoughtless, careless and exploitative actions. As an introduced species that has formed free-living herds, the horse is an interesting case that polarises people. There are two salient points about free-living horses (i.e. brumbies). Firstly, brumbies are causing ecological damage and negatively impacting biodiversity; they should be removed from sensitive ecosystems [43]. Secondly, there is no simple solution. Aerial shooting is often proposed as the solution to control brumby populations; however, this is a short-term impact, but long-term failure. Aerial shooting has been used for decades and much money has been directed to this method; yet brumbies are still in the alpine areas. So, it is clearly not the answer. Surely it is time to relocate these horses to a designated area with low biodiversity value where they are permitted to free-range in a contained area and administered fertility control to prevent further breeding.

Animal Agriculture Three major crises are threatening life on Earth - Biodiversity Emergency, Climate Emergency, Emergence of New Diseases [44, 45]; animal agriculture and the way we use, and abuse animals is at the centre of all them. Many factors impact biodiversity loss, but animal agriculture deserves a special mention because it is under-recognised and frequently avoided in debate. In 2019, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List) listed 28,338 species that were under threat of extinction; "agriculture & aquaculture" was listed as a threat for 85% (24,001) of these species [46]. One third of the Earth's land surface is used for farming animals; 77% of the land designated for agriculture is used for animal agriculture [47]. The most efficient animal agriculture is more detrimental to the environment than the least efficient plant agriculture; calories and protein are produced far more efficiently from plant agriculture than they are from animal agriculture [48]. Animal agriculture contributes significantly against all of the drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline (Table 2). The impact of animal agriculture is being considered seriously by various academics. Ethicists and public health researchers have outlined the five major ways that consuming meat is damaging the planet [ 49]. Conservation ecologists recognise the negative impacts of animal agriculture on biodiversity and they are evaluating ways to tackle human behaviour to reduce consumption of animal products [50]. In a plan to tackle the Climate Emergency, scientists have listed six critical and inter-related areas that must be addressed; food is one area, more specifically, reducing consumption of animal products and therefore reducing animal agriculture [51]. They also list protecting and restoring the Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity as one of the critical issues.

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The only way to address the Biodiversity Emergency is to tackle the main drivers, and this includes animal agriculture. Holistic approaches that respect and appreciate the health and wellbeing of the planet, environment, biodiversity and individual species, including humans, are critical for recovery; examples of such approaches are One Health, EcoHealth and Planetary Health [52].

Recommendations: 1. The Victorian Government acknowledges and appreciates the importance of biodiversity and environmental health and integrity to the health and wellbeing of all species, including humans; the right to a healthy environment should be added to Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities; The Victorian Government should have a holistic health approach that incorporates environment health and biodiversity health, e.g. One Health. 2. The Victorian Government declares a Biodiversity Emergency, recognises the five main drivers of Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Decline (i.e. exploitation, habitat loss, pollution, climate damage and introduced (non-native) species) and acknowledges the way that human activities negatively impact these drivers. 3. The Victorian Government recognises (through this inquiry) that animal agriculture is a key component of all of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline.

The Law and Government Decision-making: Legislative Framework and Government Programs & Funding

(b) the adequacy of the legislative framework protecting Victoria’s environment, including grasslands, forests and the marine and coastal environment, and native species; (c) the adequacy and effectiveness of government programs and funding protecting and restoring Victoria’s ecosystems

Nature laws in Australia, at federal, state and territory levels are abject failures. The interim report of the review of the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was damning; Australia's biodiversity is not conserved, and the environment is not protected [10]. One of the main recommendations was the establishment of an independent regulator, however the federal government have rejected this recommendation. The latest UN biodiversity report, Global Biodiversity Outlook 5, has recently been released and the message is dire; "Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, and the pressures driving this decline are intensifying." [53]. Australia was singled out for mammal extinction. World leaders have formally pledged to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, with 64 nations signing and other organisations around the world supporting the pledge [54]. Australia will not sign; a government spokesperson stated "We will not agree to other targets unless we can tell the Australian people what they will cost to achieve and how we will achieve it” [55]. Not acting will cost our life quality and ultimately our lives.

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Recent research has reported that government and industry, and to a lesser degree research institutions and universities, are interfering in research and messaging about the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems; Australia's environmental scientists are blocked and gagged and their results and conclusions are modified [56, 57]. This extraordinary revelation explains so many decisions and situations; Australian and Victorian governments cannot be trusted to care for the environment or to demonstrate honesty and integrity with science, biodiversity and ecosystems. Before the consultation period for the EPBC Act review ended, a collective of almost 250 Australian scientists wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, imploring him to "strengthen our laws, invest in nature and build a great legacy by ending our extinction crisis." [58]. The above- mentioned decisions indicate that Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not listen. The federal government intends to delegate more responsibility for environmental decisions to the states and territories; however, evidence indicates Victoria is currently failing to protect and conserve biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment.

An overview of Victoria We know from the 2018 State of the Environment Report from Victoria’s Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability that Victoria's biodiversity and ecosystems are in a poor state [6]. The Victorian government must lift its standards and deliver on its responsibility for health of biodiversity and the environment. We need urgent action to address the drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. This must begin with new, robust, incorruptible nature laws in Victoria and we need significant, measurable improvements in Biodiversity Indicators. The Victorian Biodiversity Plan, Biodiversity 2037, is not ideal; however, it has many good ideas that are currently not being delivered or maximised [59], including eco-tourism and valuing nature. There is a clear conflict of interest with respect to the environment and development; the Victorian Government chooses to destroy biodiversity, ecosystems and nature when there are other options. Revelations of corruption, with a developer paying Casey City Councillors and making donations to the Victorian Labor Party are of great concern [60]. Three examples of projects that destroy biodiversity and ecosystems are: • Lake Knox near the corner of Burwood Highway and Scoresby Rd, Burwood: a naturalised wetland that is home to endangered Blue-Billed Ducks (Oxyura australis) and various plants that are endangered or rare in Victoria or in the local region of Knox. The Victorian Government intends to fill in the lake, displace or destroy various species and create a new wetland nearby as a part of a housing development. The local community is advocating with great passion and intent to save Lake Knox (https://www.kes.org.au/home/campaigns/lakeknox) • Dumbarton Street Grassland at 16-20 Dumbarton St Reservoir: state-owned land with remnant critically endangered Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands and the critically endangered Matted Flax- lily (Dianella amoena). Recommendation: manage this land as a grassland in collaboration with Darebin City Council; find sites elsewhere in Darebin for housing (Darebin City Council have offered to help - see the Darebin City Council submission to this inquiry) (https://www.facebook.com/groups/289060858192166) • The Djab Wurrung Sacred Birthing Trees: the road works planned for the Western Highway will destroy culturally significant trees; The traditional custodians of the land, the Djab Wurrung people, are defending the trees as they have for centuries.

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Three Victorian issues Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands The Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands are critically endangered, EPBC listed, with less than 5% remaining and less than 1% is of high quality [21]. They have been destroyed by animal agriculture, urbanisation and bad government planning and decision-making [22]. Remnant patches of these ecosystems persist in Victoria, for example land beside railway lines and roads and long-vacant, suburban blocks. Even small reserves are significant and critical to biodiversity and conservation [61, 62]; Dumbarton Street Grassland is an example. These sites must be identified and conserved; once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Ducks There is a compelling argument to ban duck shooting. An independent review demonstrated that compliance does not work [15]: " ... non-compliance with the game hunting laws is commonplace and widespread, and the GMA is widely perceived by its external stakeholders and its own staff as unable either to ensure compliance with the game hunting laws, or to effectively sanction offenders when those laws are breached." There are better ways to manage wetlands, for example ecotourism. The Victorian Government identifies the importance of ecotourism in its Biodiversity Plan. This approach will protect and conserve the biodiversity and ecosystems, can involve First Nations people and will create jobs and economic benefits in rural regions. This is discussed further in the next section (The Solutions).

Kangaroos There are many issues with the way the Victorian Government treats kangaroos; some are highlighted here. Numbers and population: Some people believe that kangaroos are abundant. However, the Federal Government does not count kangaroos, so no-one knows how many kangaroos there are in Australia. State and territory governments use out-dated data to guess quotas of the number of animals that can be shot to "sustain populations"; the Victorian Government quotas for 2020 are based on data from 2018 [63]. Reporting of the numbers of kangaroos that are shot in Victoria is not accurate [64]. Firstly, the official records are extremely difficult to understand and interpret; information obtained under freedom of information from DELWP regarding ATCW indicates the accuracy of information is poor (see other submissions to this inquiry: Peter & Andrea Hyland (Creative Cowboy Films); Australian Wildlife Protection Council; Nikki Medwell, Redbox Sanctuary). Secondly, dependent young are killed; shot or bludgeoned to death but they are not "counted" in shooting/killing records. So, the real number killed is higher than official reports. How can the Victorian Government deliver on Objective 1 of their Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan [65], "Ensure that commercial kangaroo harvesting in Victoria is ecologically sustainable", when they do not know how many kangaroos (of all ages) are shot and killed? Commercial Kangaroo Harvest: The Victorian Government ran a trial (Kangaroo Pet Food Trial) to determine if commercial use of kangaroos was viable and sustainable. A government department assessment of the trial recommended it should not continue; one concern was that it was an "unacceptable risk to the sustainability of kangaroo populations" [66]. The Victorian Government ignored recommendations from their department and established a permanent commercial program. Animal Justice Party Page 13 of 24 13 of 26

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The National Kangaroo Commercial Code [67, 68] attempts to describe "an achievable minimum standard of humane conduct in regard to the shooting of kangaroos and wallabies"; this code applies to kangaroo shooting in Victoria. There are many concerns with this code; two issues will be discussed here. The code defines unfurred young with eyes not open as in a "state of unconsciousness". Firstly, anyone who has had even minimal contact with these individuals knows they are all responsive to various stimuli and therefore conscious. New-born kangaroos respond to gravity and the scent of their mother to travel up the mother's abdominal fur, through the opening of the pouch and then navigate to an appropriately developed teat, to which they attach [33]. This extraordinary feat requires exceptional consciousness, capability and function. Secondly, there is a vast spread of capacity, ability and responsiveness among animals in this category. Pouch young are remarkably more developed the morning that they open their eyes for the first time compared with the day they were born, yet both are in the category of "eyes not open". Individuals whose eyes have not yet opened are definitively not a single group that are all comparable in their faculties, yet the National code groups them all together. The National Code states that shooters should kill any dependents when they kill an adult kangaroo. Kangaroo shooters do not understand the complexity of kangaroo social structure. Pouch young, young-at-foot and adolescent kangaroos are physically, emotionally and socially reliant on their mothers and other individuals in the mob. The adult, alpha male has a very specific role that cannot easily or quickly be replaced. Shooting any individual in the mob will be at least disruptive and at worst destructive, leaving other individuals in turmoil. You cannot in any way make this "humane". Shooters could not know who is dependent on whom in a kangaroo mob. So, the "standard" encourages shooters to shoot everything that could potentially be dependent on another - that means the entire mob! Shooting regime is changing kangaroo biology: Mass killing of kangaroos across Australia is changing the social structure of kangaroo mobs. The large alpha males are the prime target of shooters and they are being eradicated from mobs. The absence of the alpha males allows smaller males to breed; males that naturally would not breed. This is altering the gene pool and the social dynamics in mobs. The sex ratios in some mobs is now heavily skewed toward females. Additionally, the older females are also being culled out of the mobs, removing the nurturing, maternal teaching of the younger individuals. However, no-one is researching or monitoring the impacts that kangaroo shooting is having on the genetics and social structure of kangaroo populations (see the text box below).

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Recommendation:

4. The Victorian Government acts with urgency to address the drivers of biodiversity loss through sound, quality policy and actions to achieve significant, measurable improvements in Biodiversity Indicators within the next 2 years and continues to make critical changes for long- term and permanent outcomes to secure the health of the Victorian environment, biodiversity and ecosystems. 5. The Victorian Government demonstrates strong leadership for biodiversity and ecosystems and signs the global Leaders' Pledge for Nature, pledging to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030

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The Solutions: opportunities to act with urgency and integrity

(d) legislative, policy, program, governance and funding solutions to facilitate ecosystem and species protection, restoration and recovery in Victoria, in the context of climate change impacts; (e) opportunities to restore Victoria’s environment while upholding First Peoples’ connection to country, and increasing and diversifying employment opportunities in Victoria; (f) any other related matters.

The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report recognises the Biodiversity Emergency and that we need to act with urgency to modify our actions in key areas [53]. It identifies eight critical transitions that are required to shift to a "sustainable co-existence with nature". If Victoria can act with urgency to employ this plan, we will be well-placed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems and support the health and well-being of all Victorians, regardless of species. The eight transitions are: 1. The land and forests transition: conserve intact ecosystems, restore ecosystems, combat and reverse degradation, and avoid and reduce land-use change. 2. The sustainable fisheries and oceans transition: protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems, and manage all ocean activities to ensure sustainability. 3. The sustainable freshwater transition: an integrated approach to guarantee water for nature and people, improve water quality, protect critical habitats, control introduced species and safeguard connectivity to allow the recovery of freshwater systems from mountains to coasts. 4. The sustainable agriculture transition: redesign agricultural systems through agro-ecological and biodiversity-sensitive practices. 5. The sustainable food systems transition: enable sustainable and healthy diets with an emphasis on diverse foods, mostly plant-based, and reduce consumption of animal products and production of waste. 6. The biodiversity-inclusive One Health transition: manage ecosystems, including agricultural and urban ecosystems and wildlife, through an integrated approach to promote healthy ecosystems and healthy people 7. The sustainable climate action transition: employing nature-based solutions, alongside a rapid phase-out of fossil fuel use, to reduce the scale and impacts of climate change, while provide positive benefits for biodiversity and other sustainable development goals. 8. The cities and infrastructure transition: deploy ‘green infrastructure’ and make space for nature within built landscapes to improve the health and quality of life for citizens and to reduce the environmental footprint of cities and infrastructure

All our recommendations align with these approaches; some specific solutions and opportunities are detailed in Table 3 against the drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. In addition to addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline, they offer employment opportunities, support the economy and uphold First Nations' connection to country; we have highlighted five issues here.

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Kangaroos At present kangaroos are shot when they are deemed to be "in the way"; even if they are simply feeding on land they have lived on for millions of years. We must learn to appreciate and co-exist with nature. We need to have compassion and empathy for other species. When there is no other option and kangaroos need to be moved from a parcel of land, we should employ relocation plans. This method is very successful when deployed by competent, expert people and has worked elsewhere. A detailed plan, developed by a group of experts from varied disciplines required to successfully translocate kangaroos, is currently under review by DELWP and the Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR). Kangaroos are quintessential and iconic Australians. When asked to name Australian animals, the kangaroo is usually the first that people list. The kangaroo is a symbol of Australia. From our Coat of Arms, to stylised images like the "Australian made" logo, the "Boxing Kangaroo" flag and the logo of our national airline, to the national sporting teams that carry the name with pride: Hockeyroos, Socceroos, Kangaroos and Wallabies. A female kangaroo with a joey's head poking out of the pouch is remarkable. A single kangaroo bounding across the land is breath-taking. A mob of kangaroos bounding together is absolutely jaw- dropping. We should develop eco-tourism to engage with kangaroos in the wild and revel in the beauty of these magnificent animals. People across Australia and from all around the world will pay for this extraordinary experience.

Ducks and Ramsar Wetlands The argument to ban duck shooting is compelling and supported by groups such as the RSPCA (see submission to this Inquiry). One of the greatest threats to the internationally and nationally significant Ramsar wetlands sites is recreational duck shooting. So banning duck shooting will also protect the Ramsar Wetlands. There are 12 Ramsar Wetlands in Victoria, which are internationally significant wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention [69]. These wetlands are home to endangered and vulnerable species and to migratory birds, some of which travel from as far away as China and Russia. The Andrews Government recognises their significance, designating $2 million funding to the Ramsar wetlands in December 2017 in response to an audit of Victoria's Ramsar program by the Victorian Auditor General's Office (VAGO) [70]. Also, Management Plans for each Ramsar site are developed and in place [69]. With appropriate care, management and protection these sites will attract large numbers of tourists. Worldwide interest in nature and wildlife is driving the eco-tourism industry, and bird-watching is one of the most significant eco-tourism activities and has great economic potential [71]. Regional Victoria can capitalise too. There is a ready-made market for developing wetlands sites for bird-watching, since Victoria already has one of the top birdwatching sites in the world: The Western Treatment Plant, which is part of one of the Ramsar Wetlands [72, 73]. Engaging with Victoria's First Peoples is one of the four priorities in Victorian Parliament's Strategic Plan for 2019-22. There is great scope to engage with indigenous groups and create tourism and educational activities throughout Victoria, especially in regional areas. Many of the wetlands where hunters shoot ducks have important artefacts and geographical features that are significant to Victoria's indigenous communities. Duck shooters cause damage to the culturally significant sites. The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape near Portland is a wetland with an aquaculture system that is believed to be 6,600 years old, which means it is older than the Pyramids of Egypt. After 17 years of lobbying, this ancient site finally received UNESCO Wold Heritage listing in July 2019 [74]. A thoughtful and creative Animal Justice Party Page 18 of 24 18 of 26

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tourist marketing plan could create a Ramsar Wetlands Trail through Victoria, and be linked with other attractions to further develop regional tourism: The Great Ocean Road, The Goldfields History, Food & Wine regions or a Silo Art Trail.

Bushfires We must urgently re-assess ecosystems and species in the burnt and fire-prone areas in light of the devastation of the 2019-2020 bushfires. We must also proactively manage unburnt areas [42].

Introduced (non-native) species We can apply equal consideration to all species, rather than vilifying and labelling them with negative terms such as "invasive", "pests" and "weeds". We can use harm mitigation methods; here are some examples: Deterrents: use deterrents to keep the target species out of particular areas. These methods have been used successfully in Africa, e.g. beehives to keep lions and hyaenas out of areas; chili-coated string fences to restrict rhinos, elephants and zebras. [75, 76]. These methods could be used to keep brumbies and deer out of sensitive habitats and ecosystems, such as the alpine areas and areas that are recovering after fire. Cats: cats under the guardianship of people can be contained to properties and live very happy and safe lives. Not only does it protect wildlife, but also protects cats. The financial cost of containing them to your property is offset by the savings on veterinary bills, because your cats are less likely to get injured (roads/vehicles, people, other cats are the three main causes of injuries) and also less likely to get infections and infestations, since you will restrict their exposure (other cats, contaminated soil, rotting carcasses, poisoned items). The Safe Cats Safe Wildlife campaign, a joint venture between ZoosVic and the RSPCA, is an example of equal consideration.

Animal Agriculture The negative impacts of animal agriculture are well-documented. We must develop a sustainable food plan and that means reducing the consumption of animal products and having a predominantly plant- based diet; this is supported by various sources and most recently the UN Global Biodiversity Outlook #5 [53]. Here are some important actions: • invest in plant-based agriculture and support farmers to transition away from animal agriculture • support the community to reduce their consumption of animal products, including support of behavioural change [50] • develop and encourage biodiversity-sensitive approaches such as regenerative agriculture [ 77] • reward farmers for using water wisely, restoring and conserving biodiversity-value and soil health (at present farmers who manage the land badly can receive financial support when their situation becomes dire)

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Recommendations 6. Victoria must act with urgency to employ the transitions in Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 so that we can preserve biodiversity and ecosystems and support the health and well-being of all Victorians, regardless of species. 7. The Victorian Government immediately acts to protect wildlife and to urgently modify policies, plans and legislation so that killing wildlife is not acceptable; we must learn to co-exist with and respect wildlife; end Commercial Kangaroo Harvesting; end the Duck Shooting Season; reform the ATCW system. 8. The Victorian Government immediately acts to identify remnant ecosystems and protect them, regardless of size, position or ownership: we cannot afford to lose any more biodiversity; protection and conservation should be the only option. 9. Adopt the various recommendations and actions we have proposed against the drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline (Table 3).

Conclusion The planet's biodiversity and ecosystems are under extreme threat; the great web of life, the inter- connectedness of all life on Earth, is in jeopardy. The only solution is to tackle the five main drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. In short, we must stop destroying biodiversity and ecosystems and work to repair and conserve habitats and populations of various species. One of the most critical things we need to do is appreciate that we are part of nature and that we must co-exist with other species. We must stop the exploitation, habitat destruction and pollution; we must tackle climate change and develop humane, compassionate ways to reduce the impact of introduced species. We need to value all life and place biodiversity at the top of our priorities. We need to focus on repairing the damage we have caused, and we need to do all this with urgency and integrity.

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