The creation of a "shooting super agency" has been criticised by Victorian Traditional Owners, who say they were not involved in the process, which "betrays the commitment of Statewide Treaty".
The Outdoor Recreation Bill passed the Victorian Parliament on Thursday, merging the Game Management Authority (GMA) and the Victorian Fisheries Authority into a new agency titled Outdoor Recreation Victoria.
Having passed the upper house earlier this year, amendments from the Nationals only needed to be signed off by the lower house this week. However, there had been hope from some that the change of Premier would lead to a halt to the legislation, which will see the new agency responsible for both the promotion and regulation of outdoor recreation.
In a statement, the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations said the legislation was "silent on Traditional Owners' rights and interests".
Chief executive officer Kaley Nicholson said, "once again seeing a piece of legislation designed without our input, without our consultation, and without regard for our role as land managers".
"Public land is Traditional Owners' land, but you wouldn't know it from this legislation," she said.
"How can a government that signed a Treaty with our people six short months ago be creating agencies without considering our care for Country, our right to have a say on matters affecting our communities, and their public commitment to partnership with mob?"
Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell was highly critical of the legislation, calling Outdoor Recreation Victoria a "grave conflict of interest".
She argued new Premier Ben Carroll could have scrapped Jacinta Allan's "pet project". Instead, "when given the chance to prove that he actually is different," the Premier "cowered to the gun lobby at the first hurdle," Ms Purcell said in a statement.
"This is a gutless decision by a gutless premier," she said.
"No matter what he tries to do now, Ben Carroll has lost all hope of repairing the disappointment and anger from the animal protection, environmental and wildlife community after the former premier's destruction."
Correspondence to the government — recommending an amendment to the bill by inserting a principle to ensure Traditional Owners could be recognised for their special connection to Country — was not responded to, the Federation said.
The lack of a response is discouraging, but will not deter the Federation, Ms Nicholson said.
"Traditional Owners have worked closely and collaboratively with the Victorian Government over many years, and there's no reason this can't continue, even if it takes a bit of effort to get our voices heard," she said.
"We're once again reaching out to the Government, offering the expertise and unbroken experience of the people who have kept Country healthy, in balance, and able to be enjoyed by all Victorians today. We'd welcome the opportunity to sit down together and continue the trust and goodwill of this Treaty era."
