Page 3112 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 22 August 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The ACT prides itself on having a plastic bag ban, but there has been no assessment of the ban’s impact since 2014, and then it was little more than a community survey, and no assessment of the biodegradability of the apparently reusable plastic bags that bear a cost to the consumer. Nor has there been any audit done on retail outlets to assess whether they are playing by the rules. If we are serious about reducing the environmental waste plastic bags create in the ACT, we need to make sure that the ban is having a real impact and is not just a tokenistic attempt to confirm the ACT’s environmental credentials. To that end, it was disappointing to see that the government did not seem to have a long-term plan for review of how well the ban is working.
I am pleased that there is a recommendation in the committee report for the office of the commissioner to re-examine its role and functions to ensure best practice and effective use of resources for review of environment matters which are important to all Canberrans. I am also pleased that the government has accepted this recommendation, and I look forward to the minister providing an update to the Assembly on this review.
Going back to the kangaroo cull more generally, this year was the first under the new management plan. Officials advised that the cull number had been set at 2,600, and that while many people questioned why the carcases were not used for meat, there had been little interest from the market. However, animal refuges, the RSPCA and the national zoo seem possible destinations that could utilise more than just the 12 to 15 that are used for fox baiting.
Representing an electorate that borders many nature reserves, I have been asked what strategies the government uses to maintain or reduce the number of kangaroos in areas like Black Mountain, Red Hill and Mount Ainslie. I have first-hand experience of confronting large mobs on Red Hill and I can tell you that it was not the friendliest of meetings. I am sure Minister Rattenbury will agree with me, having encountered a nasty one on a bike ride. I have written to the minister asking about the government’s plans for managing kangaroo numbers in urban areas, and I look forward to his response.
The officials acknowledged that shooting was the most effective way to manage numbers but also proffered:
Presumably at some time in the future we could have a situation where we would just be using fertility control …
Given that we cull fewer than 3,000 kangaroos a year, and the cost so far for so few to be vaccinated, it is questionable whether this is a realistic forecast. I am pleased that the government has accepted the committee recommendation to review the program.
While renewable energy was listed for examination, the discussions were somewhat restricted, given the relevant minister’s absence. This is no criticism, of course, of Minister Gentleman, as he stepped up and did his best to answer all questions put to
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video