Page 2044 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 4 June 2019
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We have also been using some new available technologies to provide enough data to see the issues involved with the grassland earless dragon and, of course, the threats to its habitat and the way that it lives in the ACT. As we know, with the warming climate, there is more pressure on endangered species as the climate changes. We have been working with the directorate, with other scientific bodies as well as particular environmental champions to ensure that we can continue to support the grassland earless dragon and other threatened species in the ACT.
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, what advice have you or your directorate given to the Transport Canberra directorate about the potential impacts of the proposal to chop off a chunk of earless dragon habitat near Hume for an alternative alignment option for the Monaro Highway upgrade?
MR GENTLEMAN: TCCS and EPSDD work closely together when it comes to these sorts of works. I do not have the detail of that in front of me but I am happy to take that part of the question on notice.
MS LAWDER: Minister, what advice have you been provided with about the impact of the widespread nature of African lovegrass on the earless dragon?
MR GENTLEMAN: We know that African lovegrass is spreading across the ACT. We are trying our best to contain it as best we can. With regard to its impact on the earless dragon, there are usually incursions around the edges of where the habitat is for the earless dragon. We can manage the incursions of African lovegrass in their native habitat by careful consideration of burning and weed control. I will get some more detail from the directorate and come back to Ms Lawder with a more detailed answer.
Mental health—gaming disorder
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, the World Health Organisation have just recognised gaming disorder as a mental health illness by adding it to the International Classification of Diseases. Gaming disorder is defined as a pattern of digital or video gaming behaviour characterised by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences. Minister, are you aware of this classification, and, if so, what steps have you taken to not only recognise the issue but support Canberrans suffering from this disorder?
MR RATTENBURY: I have not been specifically briefed on that matter by my directorate, but as the minister I am not generally fully briefed on each disorder that is being addressed by our staff. Nonetheless it is a very interesting and important topic and one that, having now had it drawn to my attention by Mrs Kikkert, I will seek further information on. What I can say is that the government employs expert staff who are trained in both existing disorders and emerging disorders to make sure that when people come forward and seek help in the ACT we have a system that is capable of responding to them. We know that with the stigma around mental health gradually
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