Mr BONSON - 2004-03-31
The federal government has previously said that it does not support the Territory government’s proposal to introduce controlled safari hunting for mature saltwater crocodiles. Will the minister inform the House about the recent delegation that he led to Canberra to lobby the Commonwealth over the Territory’s proposal?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will be brief on this question, although it is a very important one. The member for Millner is right. The Commonwealth government has initially rejected the draft Northern Territory Plan of Management for Saltwater Crocodiles, in which there is a request for limited safari hunting of 25 saltwater crocodiles over 4 metres in length. We were not looking to increase the quota per annum that can be harvested in the wild, which is 600. All we were asking for is that 25 of those 600 be allowed to be hunted by game hunters, thus producing a dividend to Aboriginal communities and to pastoral property owners who have a problem there.
It was a well-rounded delegation. I was proud that the member for Arafura accompanied me in her guise as the local member as well as being minister for the environment. It was very good to have Professor Grahame Webb, a world-renowned crocodile expert over many years, with us. In addition, Mike Letnic from my department, and Tony Searle, vice president of the Cattlemen’s Association, were with us as well. In addition, there were two Djelk Rangers from the Maningrida community.
I appreciated the opportunity to put our case to people in the federal Department of Environment and Heritage, and they asked us many questions. It was great to be able to meet with Dr Kemp, the federal minister with whom, I might add, I believe I have a very constructive and worthwhile relationship. Dr Kemp gave us a very good hearing. I believe he is coming here next week. I am optimistic that he may have a positive announcement for us, however, we will have to wait and see. The ball is in his court.
I will close on this – I will not name the source of this information – it is someone who has been involved in crocodiles for many years. This person told me that, some years ago when Senator Hill was the federal Minister for the Environment, the Territory put forward a draft plan that included the very same proposal. It was knocked back, and there was not a whimper from the Territory government. I need to ascertain whether that is a fact. Maybe someone from the other side could clarify that, but that is the information I have received from a very reliable source. I place on the record that we are a government that stands up for Territorians, and the rights of Territorians to control what happens to their wildlife that will benefit the whole community.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will be brief on this question, although it is a very important one. The member for Millner is right. The Commonwealth government has initially rejected the draft Northern Territory Plan of Management for Saltwater Crocodiles, in which there is a request for limited safari hunting of 25 saltwater crocodiles over 4 metres in length. We were not looking to increase the quota per annum that can be harvested in the wild, which is 600. All we were asking for is that 25 of those 600 be allowed to be hunted by game hunters, thus producing a dividend to Aboriginal communities and to pastoral property owners who have a problem there.
It was a well-rounded delegation. I was proud that the member for Arafura accompanied me in her guise as the local member as well as being minister for the environment. It was very good to have Professor Grahame Webb, a world-renowned crocodile expert over many years, with us. In addition, Mike Letnic from my department, and Tony Searle, vice president of the Cattlemen’s Association, were with us as well. In addition, there were two Djelk Rangers from the Maningrida community.
I appreciated the opportunity to put our case to people in the federal Department of Environment and Heritage, and they asked us many questions. It was great to be able to meet with Dr Kemp, the federal minister with whom, I might add, I believe I have a very constructive and worthwhile relationship. Dr Kemp gave us a very good hearing. I believe he is coming here next week. I am optimistic that he may have a positive announcement for us, however, we will have to wait and see. The ball is in his court.
I will close on this – I will not name the source of this information – it is someone who has been involved in crocodiles for many years. This person told me that, some years ago when Senator Hill was the federal Minister for the Environment, the Territory put forward a draft plan that included the very same proposal. It was knocked back, and there was not a whimper from the Territory government. I need to ascertain whether that is a fact. Maybe someone from the other side could clarify that, but that is the information I have received from a very reliable source. I place on the record that we are a government that stands up for Territorians, and the rights of Territorians to control what happens to their wildlife that will benefit the whole community.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016