The move to establish several new national parks in Victoria has been opposed by the State Liberals and Nationals.

Speaking on the legislation, which creates additional national parks predominantly in the west of the state, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said it was ludicrous to expand the parks’ network when the existing one is already neglected.

“In addition to a lack of control across the current network, we are seeing staff cuts within Parks Victoria. How can we expect fewer staff to manage a bigger system when the one we already have is out of control?” Mr Bull said.

He told Parliament that Victoria’s parks are being overrun by pests plants and weeds such as blackberry, English broom, African Lovegrass and serrated tussock.

“These species outcompete native flora, degrade habitat and increase fire risk by creating dense, flammable understorey. When we raise these matters, we’re told there’s no money for control efforts, yet the government is expanding the network,” he said.

He added that pest animals are also rampant.

“Sambar deer, foxes, wild dogs, pigs and rabbits are causing widespread environmental damage. Pigs are arguably the most serious threat, with their rapid spread encroaching on farmland and spreading disease.”

“They’re destroying native vegetation, threatening biodiversity and undermining the ecological objectives of the parks themselves.”

Mr Bull said that over the past decade under Labor, Victoria’s park estate has grown by 20 per cent, while operational funding and ranger numbers have both fallen.

“How is that ever going to end well?” he said.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says Labor’s move to expand the national park network in Victoria is ludicrous when it already neglects the parks what we have.

Friday, 31 October 2025