Page 4054 - Week 13 - Thursday, 6 December 2007
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government done to ensure that the people conducting the cull are properly trained and qualified?
MR STANHOPE: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Certainly I am aware of the steps that the Department of Defence has taken. The ACT government is pleased at the latest announcements by the Department of Defence and its preparedness to address what we regard—and what is broadly regarded—as a significant environment issue, namely over-grazing on two defence sites: at Majura and at Lawson.
My latest advice in relation to the Department of Defence’s anticipated control was that, at Majura, the most significantly affected areas of lowland grassland would be fenced off. The fencing had commenced or was about to commence. I had a briefing on this issue within the last 10 days or thereabouts. That last briefing was to advise me that the Department of Defence had commenced or was about to commence fencing, most particularly at Majura. But I believe there was also a proposal to ensure the protection of areas at Lawson.
At that stage, my last advice was that final decisions had not been taken in relation to a euthanasing approach to the kangaroo population at Lawson. The government has certainly issued a licence for the maintenance of 150 kangaroos at Lawson. We believe there are in the order of 600. My last advice was that those final decisions had not been taken. I will seek to provide the information before the close of business today on issues around the current status of defence’s intentions in relation to the euthanasing or removal of kangaroos from Lawson.
I have not asked specifically about the issues you raise in relation to the process or the procedure that would be utilised in the euthanasing of kangaroos and the issue you raised in relation to ensuring that those who have been contracted are appropriately trained and qualified. That is an issue that certainly, in the first instance, we would have expected the Department of Defence to pursue consistent with its obligations and responsibilities.
I am more than happy to confirm the issues that you have raised and to seek detail of issues around the process the Department of Defence proposes in relation to control, whether it be euthanasing or simply removal. I will try to provide that over the next couple of hours.
MR SPEAKER: Is there a supplementary question?
MR STEFANIAK: I thank the Chief Minister for that answer. I ask him to take on notice and provide details of what the ACT government and Defence have done to ensure that the cull is conducted safely, without undue risk to humans. I am advised that these drugs are potentially fatal. If someone missed and a kid picked it up, there could be fatalities.
MR STANHOPE: I am certainly happy to take that question on notice. I should say at the outset that issues around public safety were at the heart of decisions and considerations that were taken earlier, when consideration was being given to the
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