Hundreds of electricians have walked off the job at Victoria’s Metro Tunnel project in defence of their right to enjoy outdoor activities, including hunting.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) Victorian branch announced about midday on March 31 that 800 members had walked off the state’s largest construction project.
Members came together to defend their right to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and activities including camping, boating, hunting, and fishing, the union said in a Facebook post.
It pointed to recent government decisions including duck hunting restrictions, that angered many, saying they were not based on scientific facts or statistics.
Countless members of the union, along with members of other unions and the wider community, had contacted the ETU to seek support and leadership to defend people’s right to sustainable outdoor recreation, the union said.
It suggested action over the issues could be ongoing, writing “the campaign begins” in the post.
The government was investing significantly in making sure more Victorians could enjoy outdoor activities, a government spokesman said.
“We understand our big build partners are in discussions to ensure there is not a significant impact to our metro tunnel projects,” the spokesman said.
“Work is continuing on the Metro Tunnel project which is on track to open a year ahead of schedule in 2025.”
Duck hunting in Victoria has been an issue of great contention, with a shortened 2023 season receiving the green light in February.
The announcement a season would go ahead angered people who had called for a complete ban on duck hunting and hunters frustrated at limitations on the season.
The Game Management Authority announced a bag limit of four birds per day, with people only allowed to hunt from 8am until 30 minutes after sunset.
Hunters will also be prohibited from killing the protected Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead species during the 2023 season.
An inquiry into the future of duck shooting in Victoria was given the go-ahead earlier this month. The state government previously agreed to set up a parliamentary inquiry into duck hunting due to its increasingly contested nature.
The ETU has been contacted for comment.
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