Katter chatter wrong on flying foxes

Environment Minister Andrew Powell has made a flying visit to Townsville and Charters Towers to dispel concern over the issue of flying foxes.

The visit comes in the wake of news that a young Queensland boy is in a critical condition in a Brisbane hospital after contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus.

Mr Powell said now is not the time for politics or hysteria.

“It's important to correct the crazy and inflammatory claims of people such as Bob Katter, Shane Knuth and others willing to exploit the situation for their own short term political gains,” Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell said the Newman Government had taken two commitments regarding flying foxes to the election.

The first was to reintroduce lethal damage mitigation permits (DMPs) for farmers and fruit growers, and the second was to work with councils in managing urban flying fox roosts. 

"And we have delivered on both" Mr Powell said.

"In September the Newman Government changed legislation to again allow fruit growers to access lethal damage mitigation permits to protect crops and as recently as last Wednesday night the LNP defeated a Labor move in Parliament to undo this - a fact the KAP would know had they bothered to turn up to the debate".

Mr Powell said the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection had also worked closely with affected councils to address problems associated with flying fox roosts in urban areas. 

"We have worked with Central Highlands Regional Council to resolve an issue in Duaringa and with Mayor McGrady and the Mt Isa Council to achieve an outcome in Mt Isa,” he said

"Contrary to the claims of the KAP, the Newman Government has also approved both DMP requests made to date by the Charters Towers Regional Council. 

"Since that time, the only request to come from the council has been to support a federal funding submission to build "flying fox world" - a purpose built Eco Park on a site outside of town - aimed at attracting tourists to the city to see these animals.

"Shane Knuth and Mayor Beveridge can't have it both ways.

"They need to sit down and agree on one plan for flying foxes - just like the KAP MP for Mt Isa, Robbie Katter, and Mayor McGrady did. 

"If the council decides to develop and deliver on ‘flying fox world’ then the Newman Government stands ready to assist.

"If it decides to take more immediate action to relocate the roost, the council needs to submit a request for a DMP to the department.

[ENDS] 17 February 2013

Media Contact: Ken Vernon 0431 027 017.