Australians for Animals June 2025 Press Release
MEDIA RELEASE
LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST DEECA OVER AERIAL KILLING OF KOALAS IN BUDJ BIM PARK
Australians for Animals NSW Inc., has filed an originating motion for a Judicial Review in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Bleyer Lawyers Pty Ltd, acting for the charity, are seeking an order quashing the authorisation purportedly issued under section 28A of the Wildlife Act by the Conservation Regulator as a delegate of the Secretary.
Lawyers are seeking a declaration that the authorisation decision is invalid, and the DEECA’s Secretary’s decision to undertake the aerial assessment and destruction of over 1000 koalas in Budj Bim Park is unlawful and invalid.
An injunction is sought restraining DEECA from undertaking further aerial assessment and destruction of koalas in the park.
Sue Arnold, Co-ordinator of Australians for Animals NSW Inc, said:
“ The precedent set by the horrific killing of more than 1000 koalas, potentially with joeys, is not only unacceptable but a shocking indictment of the Victorian government’s cruelty to wildlife.
“ As a result of a memorandum of understanding between RSPCA Victoria and the government, no action to prosecute cruelty is available under the Prevention of Cruelty Act.
“ The Victorian government has a shameful history of koala massacres.. The slaughter of koalas by helicopter marksmen is indefensible. It is simply impossible to kill koalas from 30 metres with a clean shot. No ground-truthing was undertaken to establish whether any koalas or joeys were left wounded.”
The charity has a 35-year history in koala conservation across Australia and was responsible for listing the Koala under the provisions of the USA Endangered Species Act as Threatened. The charity has been involved in campaigns to protect koalas in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
“Australia is gaining a national and international reputation as a nation which causes abject suffering, neglect and unjustifiable trauma to its rapidly disappearing unique wildlife heritage. The Victorian government’s authorisation of the Budj Bim koala killing only adds to the global disgust,” said Ms Arnold.
24 June, 2025
Comments: Sue Arnold - 0408 989 862
Download: Originating motion for judicial review. 2025.06.16 Form 5G - Originating Motion for Judicial Review
Note: DEECA correspondence available on request.
