The Federal Government has over-ruled the Qld Government to prevent grazing in
National Parks. One small win? Now I have sympathy for the drought stricken
farmers, but grazing the national parks is just not right!
Burke rejects allowing national parks cattle grazing
The Queensland Government has accused the Federal Government of stirring up the
biggest animals rights issue in Australia by rejecting its proposal to allow
starving cattle to graze on conservation reserves and national parks.
With a third of Queensland now drought-affected, Queensland National Parks
Minister Steve Dickson says he will keep lobbying federal Environment Minister
Tony Burke to change his mind.
"What we're here today to do is get starving cattle to eat food rather than
dropping dead in paddocks - they're the options we have - let them die in the
paddock or do something about it," he said.
"I'm sure Mr Burke will see the common sense in that."
Mr Dickson says the Federal Government risks an animals rights disaster, with
25,000 animals that may die from starvation.
"I don't know why anybody would want to get in the way of stopping cattle
staying alive," he said.
"You look at what happened in Indonesia not so long ago - I think everyone
jumped in the air because there was awful things happening over there with the
abattoirs.
"That's been resolved - let this not be another crisis, let's do the right
thing, let's pull together and save these cattle's lives."
'Absurb'
But Mr Burke says he will not be swayed.
"There's $60 million on the table right now for Queensland farmers for
interest-free loans that [Premier] Campbell Newman's refusing to sign up to,"
he said.
"It is just absurd for them to say that this is the only option, when everyone
else in Australia is able to find options that don't involve wrecking national
parks.
"National parks are put there as a reserve for families to be able to go and
enjoy nature - that's what they're for.
"They're not farms, they're not rifle ranges, they're not there for the
purposed of massive land clearing.
"They're there for the purpose of having some parts of our country reserved for
people to enjoy nature."
But RSPCA spokesman Mark Townend says thousands of cattle could starve.
"Drought assistance may help but in this situation you can't get to those
cattle," he said.
"The only way is to move them down to those national parks."
'Outrageous' opposition
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney says the Queensland Government will proceed with its
plan, saying the opposition to the proposal is "outrageous".
He says the Federal Government did provide funding to help purchase some of the
properties, so it is appropriate to seek their cooperation.
"We believe this is just such a common sense response to a critical animal
welfare situation that we will proceed in Parliament next week to amend the
legislation," he said.
"We don't need anyone's permission to change the state legislation.
"It is only the issue of the funding that was made available to buy these
properties - we are not going to be put off."
Rob Morris
Brisbane, Australia
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