Senate debates

Monday, 2 December 2019

Motions

Animal Welfare

3:44 pm

Photo of Mehreen FaruqiMehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) fires have ravaged Australia before the start of summer with more than 1,650,000 hectares of land, including koala habitat, burned in New South Wales,

  (ii) between 350 and 1000 koalas have been found dead so far on the North and Mid-North coast of New South Wales, and

  (iii) koalas are listed as a vulnerable species under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999; and

(b) calls on the Commonwealth Government to more effectively plan for koala and animal welfare in natural disaster responses.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

Protecting life, property and the environment are key goals in emergency and disaster management planning. Within Australia, primary responsibility for prevention, preparation and responding to and recovering from these events rests with the states. Planning across all phases requires us to accept a shared-responsibility approach, and the Commonwealth government supports the jurisdictions, wherever possible, to achieve the best outcomes across all stages, including animal welfare.

Question agreed to.