Page 2315 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 23 June 2010
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I am not sure I disagree with that. I must say that I have no strong desire that there be a commercial kangaroo meat industry in the ACT. I am not sure I would support that. I am not minded to pursue it. But I have some sympathy with the position that Mrs Dunne has put. Why would you rule it out when, in the same breath, you would agree for the first time ever to investigate the possibility of alternative disposal methods?
As I say, I am anticipating Mr Rattenbury’s speech, but I understand his intention. I am declaring now that the government will support Mrs Dunne’s motion with an amendment which I have circulated. For the sake of some cleanness and to reduce technicality, I believe a feasibility study is appropriate.
I believe the motion expresses quite clearly what the government thinks. The government will be supporting Mrs Dunne’s motion, with the amendment I propose, and will not, on that basis, support Mr Rattenbury’s proposed amendment, even though I do not have any particular issue with it. I personally do not support the creation of a commercial kangaroo industry here, but I also do not oppose it. I prefer to just investigate the issue and make a decision after that investigation. I move the following amendment to Mrs Dunne’s motion:
Omit paragraphs (2) and (3), substitute:
“(2) supports the Government’s decision to responsibly manage kangaroo numbers in the ACT’s nature reserves; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) ensure accurate information about the conduct of the cull is made available to the community;
(b) ensure that the feasibility of the commercial disposal of carcasses is fully examined in advance of future culling activity, taking full account of legislative, regulatory, social, environmental and market issues; and
(c) by the last sitting day in 2010, report to the Assembly on the progress of this work and arrangements for the disposal of carcasses in future kangaroo culling operations.”.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (5.30): When it comes to Mrs Dunne’s motion this afternoon, I am not sure which bit I am more surprised about—the fact that she wrote the motion before she got the brief from the department or the rampant enthusiasm for a cull which she condoned in a speech this evening. I think it is one matter to acknowledge that there is an unfortunate and difficult problem that we face. Coming here and trying to turn this into a political football and challenge others to come out and champion it is quite a different matter. I frankly find it somewhat disappointing.
Mrs Dunne’s motion raises three quite separate questions which I would like to address today. Firstly, does this Assembly support this annual cull of kangaroos; secondly, does the Assembly support the provision of accurate information on the
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