The Palaszczuk Labor Government has neglected Queensland’s koalas after it was revealed during Estimates Hearings in Brisbane that there was no new money for habitats across the state.
Shadow Environment Minister Dr Christian Rowan MP today asked Minister
Miles why there was a funding drought for koala habitat purchases in the coming year, but the silence was deafening.
“The Minister was forced to admit Labor would not spend a single cent on
koala habitats this year, despite having committed $15 million in 2015-16,” Dr Rowan said.
“Has the department determined buying at-risk koala habitat areas is no longer the preferred option to protect koalas?”
“If this is the case, on what scientific data was the decision based?”
Dr Rowan said Minister Miles rambled on this afternoon during Estimates about habitat areas purchased last year in a number of electorates.
“The Minister failed to provide a clear answer as to why there were no
funds for the coming year and was once again left hiding behind reviewing and not doing,” he said.
“The committee was left none the wiser on whether there was any
scientific basis.”
“It is all a bit hard to tell what the government is doing with koalas
when the minister is so vague.”
Friday 22 July 2016
