
States to Senate: We have a problem
State governments have told the Senate inquiry into environmental biosecurity that the system is failing.
State governments have told the Senate inquiry into environmental biosecurity that the system is failing.
More than 5.7 million bats have died in North America since 2006 from white nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
Five years worth of efforts in improving NSW invasive species laws came excruciatingly close to reality. In the end the Bill failed to pass Parliament.
A new global survey shows that new pasture plants such as grasses present a substantial weed risk yet these plants are still widely developed and sold in Australia with little regulation from government.
A ‘top six on the richter scale’ list of high priority threats to the environment provided to the Senate biosecurity inquiry begs many more questions than it answers.
The evidence provided to the Senate inquiry has demonstrated that Australia’s biosecurity system is failing in multiple ways to prevent the arrival of harmful new invaders. Here we summarise the highlights of the public hearings.
The Invasive Species Council recently tested how easy it is to buy prohibited weeds online, and found quarantine seriously wanting.
The Senate inquiry on environmental biosecurity has been useful for revealing gaping holes in Australia’s preparation for new invasive species and flushed out the views of government about our proposal for a dedicated body to prepare for invasive species.
The NSW primary industries minister threatened to use biosecurity laws to prosecute animal activists. Animal activists just as much as farmers and other members of the community need to use good biosecurity practices.
Technology giant Hewlett-Packard has made an embarrassing gaff in its latest Australian marketing campaign by encouraging people to help a young boy find his pet iguana, Ralph.
The high rate of new environmental incursions detected since 2000 suggests Australia has not yet learnt from the past. The Invasive Species Council’s submission highlights the lessons that should be learned.
Solving the problem of feral cats in the Australian environment will require long-term, well-resourced steps. But with the right will, it can be done.
These extracts from some of the 83 submissions to the Senate inquiry reveal systemic failure in our environmental biosecurity systems and support for many of the issues raised by the Invasive Species Council.
With a continued high rate of new invasive species arriving and establishing in Australia, it is clear we need a more concerted focus on environmental biosecurity priorities. That is why we have proposed to the Senate inquiry the establishment of a new national body.
As feral horse numbers grow in the Australian Alps in the absence of an effective control program, so too is concern about the escalating damage.
State governments have told the Senate inquiry into environmental biosecurity that the system is failing.
More than 5.7 million bats have died in North America since 2006 from white nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
Five years worth of efforts in improving NSW invasive species laws came excruciatingly close to reality. In the end the Bill failed to pass Parliament.
A new global survey shows that new pasture plants such as grasses present a substantial weed risk yet these plants are still widely developed and sold in Australia with little regulation from government.
A ‘top six on the richter scale’ list of high priority threats to the environment provided to the Senate biosecurity inquiry begs many more questions than it answers.
The evidence provided to the Senate inquiry has demonstrated that Australia’s biosecurity system is failing in multiple ways to prevent the arrival of harmful new invaders. Here we summarise the highlights of the public hearings.
The Invasive Species Council recently tested how easy it is to buy prohibited weeds online, and found quarantine seriously wanting.
The Senate inquiry on environmental biosecurity has been useful for revealing gaping holes in Australia’s preparation for new invasive species and flushed out the views of government about our proposal for a dedicated body to prepare for invasive species.
The NSW primary industries minister threatened to use biosecurity laws to prosecute animal activists. Animal activists just as much as farmers and other members of the community need to use good biosecurity practices.
Technology giant Hewlett-Packard has made an embarrassing gaff in its latest Australian marketing campaign by encouraging people to help a young boy find his pet iguana, Ralph.
The high rate of new environmental incursions detected since 2000 suggests Australia has not yet learnt from the past. The Invasive Species Council’s submission highlights the lessons that should be learned.
Solving the problem of feral cats in the Australian environment will require long-term, well-resourced steps. But with the right will, it can be done.
These extracts from some of the 83 submissions to the Senate inquiry reveal systemic failure in our environmental biosecurity systems and support for many of the issues raised by the Invasive Species Council.
With a continued high rate of new invasive species arriving and establishing in Australia, it is clear we need a more concerted focus on environmental biosecurity priorities. That is why we have proposed to the Senate inquiry the establishment of a new national body.
As feral horse numbers grow in the Australian Alps in the absence of an effective control program, so too is concern about the escalating damage.
State governments have told the Senate inquiry into environmental biosecurity that the system is failing.
More than 5.7 million bats have died in North America since 2006 from white nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
Five years worth of efforts in improving NSW invasive species laws came excruciatingly close to reality. In the end the Bill failed to pass Parliament.
A new global survey shows that new pasture plants such as grasses present a substantial weed risk yet these plants are still widely developed and sold in Australia with little regulation from government.
A ‘top six on the richter scale’ list of high priority threats to the environment provided to the Senate biosecurity inquiry begs many more questions than it answers.
The evidence provided to the Senate inquiry has demonstrated that Australia’s biosecurity system is failing in multiple ways to prevent the arrival of harmful new invaders. Here we summarise the highlights of the public hearings.
The Invasive Species Council recently tested how easy it is to buy prohibited weeds online, and found quarantine seriously wanting.
The Senate inquiry on environmental biosecurity has been useful for revealing gaping holes in Australia’s preparation for new invasive species and flushed out the views of government about our proposal for a dedicated body to prepare for invasive species.
The NSW primary industries minister threatened to use biosecurity laws to prosecute animal activists. Animal activists just as much as farmers and other members of the community need to use good biosecurity practices.
Technology giant Hewlett-Packard has made an embarrassing gaff in its latest Australian marketing campaign by encouraging people to help a young boy find his pet iguana, Ralph.
The high rate of new environmental incursions detected since 2000 suggests Australia has not yet learnt from the past. The Invasive Species Council’s submission highlights the lessons that should be learned.
Solving the problem of feral cats in the Australian environment will require long-term, well-resourced steps. But with the right will, it can be done.
These extracts from some of the 83 submissions to the Senate inquiry reveal systemic failure in our environmental biosecurity systems and support for many of the issues raised by the Invasive Species Council.
With a continued high rate of new invasive species arriving and establishing in Australia, it is clear we need a more concerted focus on environmental biosecurity priorities. That is why we have proposed to the Senate inquiry the establishment of a new national body.
As feral horse numbers grow in the Australian Alps in the absence of an effective control program, so too is concern about the escalating damage.
Dear National Deer Management Coordinator,
Please accept this as a submission to the National Feral Deer Action Plan.
[Your personalised message will appear here]
I am very concerned about the spread of deer and am pleased that a national plan has finally been developed. Without urgent action, funding and commitment from all levels of government it is clear that feral deer will continue to spread and damage our environment.
The feral deer population in Australia is growing rapidly and spreading across the country, damaging our natural environment, causing havoc for farmers and foresters and threatening public safety. Unlike much of the world where deer are native, our plants and wildlife haven’t evolved to deal with these heavy hard hooved animals with a voracious appetite.
With no natural predators and an ability to adapt to almost all environments, they could occupy almost all of Australia unless stopped. Despite this, state and territory governments have been slow to respond and in Victoria and Tasmania they are still protected by law for the enjoyment of hunters.
This plan should be adopted by all governments but must also be underpinned by dedicated funding and clear responsibilities. A plan without funding or accountability is a plan that will fail and Australia cannot afford for this to fail.
In order to prevent the spread of feral deer and reduce their impact on our native wildlife, ecosystems and agriculture, I ask that the following recommendations be adopted for the final National Feral Deer Action Plan:
1. All federal, state and territory governments should adopt the National Feral Deer Action Plan and declare feral deer to be a priority pest animal species.
2. All federal, state and territory governments should commit to:
3. In order to drive action and the success of this plan, there should be dedicated Commonwealth funding and support for:
4. The expected outcomes for the plan need to be more ambitious, with clear interim targets including:
5. A national feral deer containment map with three zones should be adopted. It should be more ambitious than the zone map in the current draft plan and there should be greater clarity in the naming of the zones. Improvements that should be adopted include:
6. There should be consistent laws and regulations across all states and territories that:
I support the follow principles being adopted in the final National Feral Deer Action Plan: