The Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit system is broken.

Native wildlife is protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to kill, trap or disturb wildlife without a permit. However, permits called Authorities to Control Wildlife (ATCWs) can be issued when wildlife is causing damage to property, posing a risk to human health and safety or is negatively impacting other biodiversity values... essentially, a tick-and-flick licensing system.

The 2021-2023 ATCW data shows that permits were issued by the Conservation Regulator in Victoria to lethally 'control' almost 300,000 native animals in 3 years. 

And that is barely touching the surface. Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos slaughtered under the "Kangaroo Harvesting Program" are not included in the data!

Data available here 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023

"Kangaroos, wombats, native birds, possums, black swans and emus are just a few of the many native animals that landholders are granted licences to kill."