Page 3811 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 19 September 2018
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that Ms Cheyne’s “go-to” response to something she does not like or agree with is to condemn it. I am told that a number of brumbies have been rehomed and broken in and are providing much enjoyment to recreational horse riders in the ACT and surrounding areas.
Ms Cheyne dedicates much of this motion to outright condemnation of the New South Wales government and its legislation, without considering other factors and viewpoints. A core aim of the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Act is to recognise the cultural and heritage value of a sustainable wild horse population within the Kosciuszko National Park. Perhaps Ms Cheyne may not like to admit it, but we do share history and culture with our friends from across the border.
It is disappointing to see the Labor backbench take cheap digs at the New South Wales government and totally disregard the cultural significance of brumbies to this region of Australia. We all share a common history and cultural connection in Australia. Further, I would hope that Ms Cheyne would have a little more confidence in the work of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service. The wording of her motion does not indicate that to be the case.
In saying that, Madam Assistant Speaker, I thank Ms Cheyne for bringing this motion to the Assembly, insofar as it gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Canberra Liberals, to thank Mr Iglesias and our rangers and officials from ACT parks and conservation for their hard work and dedication to preserving our natural environment. Our parks and green spaces are a big part of what makes Canberra great, and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service work hard to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy them. I hope that the ACT and New South Wales governments—and any other relevant jurisdiction—can work together on managing brumby populations in the future.
For the record, the Canberra Liberals are not in the practice of condemning everyone who does anything we do not like or do not agree with. We would propose that on the issue of brumbies in our region, the approach suggested by Mr Iglesias, clearly the more qualified in this area, is preferable to the condemnation called for in this motion. On that basis, the Canberra Liberals oppose the motion.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (4.01): This is an important topic that we are discussing today. Despite Ms Lee’s commentary, it is actually one directly relevant to the ACT, because our porous borders mean that the decision taken by the New South Wales government will have an impact on the ACT and will mean that the ACT Parks and Conservation Service will have to do additional work. I do not doubt their ability to deal with this matter, and they have done it very effectively over the years, but why should they have to do further work, have to put in place extra resources, because the New South Wales government has taken a poorly informed decision that is bad for the environment? That is the situation we are facing here.
The Greens will be supporting this motion because we think it is right that we acknowledge this and we make our views very clear to the New South Wales government: that we do not support the legislation they have put in place. The New South Wales government should reverse their decision because they have made one
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