HUNTING or fishing for food is still permitted in Victoria, despite the tough coronavirus restrictions, a Wodonga politician claims.
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Upper House MP Tim Quilty points to the wording used by deputy chief health officer Annaliese Van Diemen when she issued stay at home directions to apply as part of stage three measures.
In her directive, Dr Van Diemen outlined valid reasons to leave home which included "a may person may leave the premises to obtain: (a) food or drink".
Mr Quilty said: "The declaration is you can leave your home to get food, it doesn't say you can't leave your home just to buy food.
"If you're going to get a deer for food (by hunting) it is not banned."
The Liberal Democrat believes legal action against someone fishing or hunting for a meal would not succeed, based on the wording of the directive.
"If they order you to stop I recommend complying with their directions, but report it to me so we can get it sorted out."
Mr Quilty believes the government has been excessive with some of its measures.
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"I feel like the government has had a large overreach, for example they're saying 'you can't go fishing', 'you can't go hunting' and have closed down firearms shops - none of those things are impacting on the virus," he said.
"If somebody goes off by themselves on a boat on a dam I can't see how that's going to affect the virus."
Mr Quilty said he was seeking a meeting with Police Minister Lisa Neville to discuss the situation.
The Border Mail has contacted Ms Neville's office to receive a response to Mr Quilty's statements and is yet to receive a reply.
Mr Quilty is also concerned about the use of the army to monitor people that are quarantining in hotels.
He said "normalising the use of the army" in such situations was a concern for what may happen to Australian citizens "down the track".
"I don't think the government has nefarious plans....but they've got to be careful," Mr Quilty said.
