Page 2946 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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based. Again, it looks at animal welfare requirements, and it is in line with animal welfare requirements, and particularly requirements that are referenced by welfare organisations such as the RSPCA that identify the most humane ways of managing kangaroos.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, can you be quiet? I am having trouble hearing the minister.
MS VASSAROTTI: In terms of the ACT’s management of kangaroos, we have the highest standards in Australia. One of the key things that we do, when we do take action regarding a kangaroo at a particular time, is to minimise the impact particularly around joeys. We are very confident that the way that we do it meets the highest standards anywhere in Australia.
MR PARTON: Minister, can you please explain how restricting animal wildlife rescue groups from helping injured kangaroos treats them with care and respect?
MS VASSAROTTI: Thank you, Mr Parton, for the question. I suspect that the question is actually in relation to the fact that there is a restriction around joey licences, under the Nature Conservation Act. The question did not actually refer to that, but I assume that is what Mr Parton was referring to.
I note that ACT Parks and Conservation work with ACT Wildlife and Wildcare Queanbeyan to rehabilitate eastern grey kangaroo joeys via a licence issued under the Nature Conservation Act. In fact, the premise of your question is incorrect. The Nature Conservation Act restricts keeping joeys for longer than 48 hours in the ACT unless they are licensed. ACT Wildlife’s current licence does not allow them to keep eastern grey kangaroo joeys beyond 48 hours. However, Wildcare Queanbeyan can keep eastern grey kangaroo joeys for longer than 48 hours under the licence. ACT Parks and Conservation—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS VASSAROTTI: If you want to hear the answer, I will continue to provide details. ACT Parks and Conservation and ACT Wildlife transfer these joeys that require rehabilitation for longer than 48 hours to Wildcare Queanbeyan. The current number of allowable transfers is 35 eastern grey kangaroo joeys per year.
Light rail—stage 2
DR PATERSON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, how is the ACT government getting on with the job of delivering light rail for Canberra?
MR STEEL: I thank Dr Paterson for her question. I am very happy to say that light rail is coming south.
Members interjecting—
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