Native Bird Hunting

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS ().15 May 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has advised:

1. The department's National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are employed to undertake a range of duties across South Australia's environments.

2. The cost to the department for the staff time and operational costs for compliance activities during the duck open season opening weekend was $18,528.38.

3. The staff conducted 318 compliance checks of permit conditions and issued seven cautions and 11 verbal warnings, with 12 matters currently under formal investigation.

4. The department does not reveal methodologies and ways of working for compliance operations.

5. The public has an expectation that the department will conduct compliance activities and monitor that duck hunters are compliant with legislation and adopting best practices whilst engaged in lawful duck hunting activities.

6. The department issued 1,430 permits in this duck hunting season with a total revenue to date of $68,641.00. The department does not separately record activities undertaken by rangers across the entire duck hunting season.