MEMBER for Benambra Bill Tilley has offered his services to bring the warring factions in the brumby cull debate to the table and find a solution acceptable to all parties.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mr Tilley extended the olive branch to Victoria's environment minister Lily D'Ambrosio in parliament on Wednesday night by requesting she call an urgent meeting with all stakeholders interested in the high country horses before the Parks Victoria "slaughter-fest" began.
IN OTHER NEWS
Mr Tilley, who has been outspoken in his public support for the brumbies, said other pro-brumby organisations including the Victorian and Australian brumby associations, Benambra Brumby Runners and Barmah Brumby Preservation Group were open to finding a better management strategy.
"I'm happy to act as a go-between," he said.
"They are willing to work with Parks Victoria and only too willing to engage in a mature and considered way to find a solution.
"These groups know the brumbies need to be part of a control program, but object to their wholesale eradication."
Parks Victoria, which was also contacted by Mr Tilley about possible peace talks, declined to comment when approached by The Border Mail.
Mr Tilley said the pro-brumby fraternity felt aggrieved when plans for rehoming, mustering and capture were abandoned.
"They feel cheated because the Feral Horse Strategic Action Plan 2018-2021 said shooting would only occur after consultation and engagement with stakeholders," he said.
"I'm asking you to re-embrace that sentiment and sit down with people from both sides of the argument to find common ground," Mr Tilley said in a question to the minister.
"To engage and consult with the organisations, who have in the past and are willing to continue to offer solutions that balance the environmental imperatives with the lives of these horses.
"Some are known to Parks (Victoria), some with ongoing contracts to manage brumbies and others who you may not have been fully aware of their capacity to make a contribution in the management of brumbies."
Mr Tilley also linked the brumby debate with the summer bushfires in the alpine areas where the feral horses live and breed.
"At its heart is the question of land management, many would say mismanagement that extends to the fireballs that in January burst out of the crown reserve to blacken the Upper Murray and East Gippsland," he said.
