Mr WOOD - 2004-03-31
In the Sessional Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development report dated 16 October 2003 entitled Issues associated with the progressive entry into the Northern Territory of cane toads, there was a recommendation under item 4.6(5):
Minister, could you tell me which one of these you would tick? (1) the government will build a fence this Dry Season; (2) the government does not support the recommendation and will not build a fence; or (3) it is all too hard, the government cannot make up its mind and will establish a new committee to look at the issue, by which time it will all be too late and we will not have to do anything and it was not our fault?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can assure this House and the public of the Northern Territory that we are a government that takes cane toads very seriously. I have taken an interest in this issue since becoming Minister for Parks and Wildlife, and the activities of the department in combating the cane toad and giving advice to residents about what they can do with the invasion of cane toads coming towards Darwin and beyond.
To answer specifically the member’s question, I am considering the response in relation to what you call the cane toad-proof fence. I have to be honest; I have severe doubts about a cane toad-proof fence. After all, the scientific name of the cane toad is Bufo marinus. The literal interpretation of that is a toad that swims in saltwater. One of the problems we have seen at Borroloola and beyond, when there is a lot of rainfall, when the rivers and creeks wash through, is that toads can go with that. They have been found quite far out to sea and have invaded some of the islands in the Borroloola area.
I am also informed that to actually stop the toadlets from passing through such a fence, you would need to have something that almost resembles a mosquito net. I have taken that particular recommendation very seriously, I am considering it. There is a great cost impost involved in it, but the government’s response to this issue will be known soon.
I should also point out to the member, and commend my predecessor, who managed to get it as an agenda item for consideration on the national resource minister’s ministerial conference coming up in Adelaide midway through next month. I also commend Dr Kemp, the federal minister, for agreeing that it be placed on the agenda for discussion, that the cane toad be considered as a threatening process under the Commonwealth biodiversity legislation. That could attract a lot of Commonwealth resources into this, and concerted and integrated actions across affected states and territories.
I assure the member, I am working hard on the issue - I am considering the issue of the fence. I have probably laid a few cards on the table regarding what I think of the idea, but I have not closed the door completely on it yet.
- That the Northern Territory government take immediate steps to erect a cane toad-proof fence across the neck of the Cobourg Peninsula.
Minister, could you tell me which one of these you would tick? (1) the government will build a fence this Dry Season; (2) the government does not support the recommendation and will not build a fence; or (3) it is all too hard, the government cannot make up its mind and will establish a new committee to look at the issue, by which time it will all be too late and we will not have to do anything and it was not our fault?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can assure this House and the public of the Northern Territory that we are a government that takes cane toads very seriously. I have taken an interest in this issue since becoming Minister for Parks and Wildlife, and the activities of the department in combating the cane toad and giving advice to residents about what they can do with the invasion of cane toads coming towards Darwin and beyond.
To answer specifically the member’s question, I am considering the response in relation to what you call the cane toad-proof fence. I have to be honest; I have severe doubts about a cane toad-proof fence. After all, the scientific name of the cane toad is Bufo marinus. The literal interpretation of that is a toad that swims in saltwater. One of the problems we have seen at Borroloola and beyond, when there is a lot of rainfall, when the rivers and creeks wash through, is that toads can go with that. They have been found quite far out to sea and have invaded some of the islands in the Borroloola area.
I am also informed that to actually stop the toadlets from passing through such a fence, you would need to have something that almost resembles a mosquito net. I have taken that particular recommendation very seriously, I am considering it. There is a great cost impost involved in it, but the government’s response to this issue will be known soon.
I should also point out to the member, and commend my predecessor, who managed to get it as an agenda item for consideration on the national resource minister’s ministerial conference coming up in Adelaide midway through next month. I also commend Dr Kemp, the federal minister, for agreeing that it be placed on the agenda for discussion, that the cane toad be considered as a threatening process under the Commonwealth biodiversity legislation. That could attract a lot of Commonwealth resources into this, and concerted and integrated actions across affected states and territories.
I assure the member, I am working hard on the issue - I am considering the issue of the fence. I have probably laid a few cards on the table regarding what I think of the idea, but I have not closed the door completely on it yet.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016