Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:50): My question is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Last weekend I was pleased to visit the Lake Connewarre wildlife reserve for the inauguration of the Beretta Observation Trail. It was disappointing that no other Western Victorian MP was present despite all being invited. Field and Game Australia’s Geelong branch have done extraordinary work to build nest boxes and hen houses which provide homes for rainbow lorikeets, red-rumped parrots, eastern rosellas and many others. They work with Deakin University on modelling avian population dynamics and migration strategies and developing conservation techniques. The breeding ground supports 230 bird species; only seven of these are listed for hunting. My question to the minister is: will her department officially recognise the conservation work of the Field and Game volunteers at Lake Connewarre wildlife reserve?