Minister sacks Parks Victoria CEO and announces surprise review
At 4pm on 28 November 2024, Victoria’s final parliamentary sitting day of the year, Minister Steve Dimopoulos dismissed Parks Victoria’s CEO and announced a surprise review of the agency, claiming it was “not meeting community expectations.” The unexpected move has raised serious concerns that the review could dismantle hard-won protections for nature.
The announcement comes amid significant challenges for Parks Victoria, including $95 million in funding cuts and over 100 staff positions set to be made redundant. Nature and community groups, including the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), described the review as a potential Trojan horse aimed at weakening the agency’s ability to protect parks and nature.
The decision also follows a major government backflip on its commitment to assess areas needing protection following the end of native forest logging. While a taskforce was established to identify areas for safeguarding threatened plants and animals and potential new national parks, Minister Dimopoulos recently stated: “The Taskforce will not be making any recommendation for large-scale changes to land tenure, including not creating any new national parks.”
This reversal is particularly concerning for the long-promised central west national parks, which remain unlegislated despite repeated government assurances they would be established in 2024. Conservationists argue the government is prioritising the demands of minority interest groups over overwhelming public support for parks and protected areas.
A recent independent poll revealed that 80 per cent of Victorians support national parks and the creation of new protected areas.
Decades of progress at risk
VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel emphasised the importance of strong protections for nature. “Victoria is the most cleared state in the country, but through tireless advocacy, we’ve secured 44 national parks, 26 state parks, 13 marine national parks, 11 marine sanctuaries, and numerous other protected areas. These places are critical for safeguarding unique plants, animals, and ecosystems.”
VNPA and its supporters are calling on the community to speak up and resist these potential threats to parks and nature protections. Ruchel stressed that now, more than ever, that nature needs well-resourced management to address biodiversity destruction and protect Victoria’s natural heritage.
Defending Victoria’s natural legacy
In early December, VNPA took part in a public meeting in Minister Dimopoulos’ electorate with strong community attendance and media coverage. The message was clear: Victorians expect their natural areas to be protected, respected, and enjoyed by all.
As Ruchel concluded, “We have ridden these waves before, and together we will again.”
Misinformation about national parks is being deliberately amplified by marginal MPs and community fears being exploited. Even the Victorian Premier has echoed anti-conservation sentiments in public speeches.
What’s next?
With the government under scrutiny for its handling of Parks Victoria and its stalled commitments, VNPA is urging the public to take action.
“We know the community values these precious places, and we’re calling on all Victorians to stand together to defend decades of progress,” said Ruchel.
VNPA is aiming to raise $50,000 to:
- Sound the alarm in the media and online, highlighting the value of parks and holding decision-makers accountable.
- Work directly with policymakers to ensure they understand public support for nature and national parks.
- Collaborate with local communities to advocate for the protection of natural areas.
- Document and expose threats to parks and highlight their ecological importance.
