 Found a word you're not familiar with? Double-click that word to bring up a dictionary reference to it. The dictionary page includes an audio sound file with which to actually hear the word said. |
Further implications
In the immediate future it appears unlikely that the Queensland government will establish a program to cull crocodiles in that state.In June 2017, the Queensland Government issued a revised crocodile management plan for the state. The Queensland Government's approach to the management of crocodiles is based on crocodile management zones. Different parts of the state are located within different management zones. The particular zone is determined by the overall risk to public safety that is present there. Factors used in evaluating the risks to public safety in different parts of the state include: the size of the human population in an area; the size of the crocodile population
in an area; whether crocodiles are resident or transitory in an area; the viability of various management options in an area. The degree of intervention to be applied to protect human safety in each zone varies, but at no point approaches the broad-focus culling being proposed by the KAP's Safer Waterways Bill, 2017.
Given how recently the management plan was put in place, it is far too early to determine its relative effectiveness.
It appears that there is currently no enthusiasm for crocodile culling in Queensland. An analysis published on the Guardian on December 27, 2016, stated, ' Fewer than 14% of residents believe treating crocodiles as dangerous animals was the key to managing them, and only 3% called for culling, hunting or harvesting.
More than a quarter of north Queenslanders supported conserving and protecting crocodiles, and most (52%) wanted an approach that balanced human safety and crocodile conservation.'
However, public attitudes on the issue may prove changeable.
In an article published in the Courier Mail on October 8, 2017, it was noted, 'Queensland crocodile sightings have soared by more than 38 per cent with reports the reptiles are expanding their territory into areas traditionally thought to be croc free. The management of the state's crocodile population is shaping up to be a major election issue with 477 crocodiles sightings reported.' If a judgement such as this should prove correct, there is likely to be a clear regional split between the areas that favour culling or some other more rigorous control measure and those who do not.
Bob Katter repeatedly argues that those living in the south of Queensland do not appreciate the crocodile hazards faced by those in the north of the state. The KAP's Safer Waterways Bill, 2017, recommends the establishment of a Queensland Crocodile Authority to oversee the operation of the management procedures it puts in place. In its preamble it states, 'The Bill ensures the Queensland Crocodile Authority is based in Cairns, and it is expected that all staff would live in that area, rather than fly in and out.' The Katter Australia Party clearly believes that only locals really know the local risk.
From an electoral point of view the split Katter envisages may turn out to be correct, with those in the north of Queensland supporting members who vow to reduce the crocodile threat and those in the south voting for members who will act to conserve crocodiles. The Queensland Government's policy regarding crocodile conservation may ultimate be determined by the political losses and gains involved.
What the New South Wales Government's belated decision to place shark nets around towns on the northern New South Wales coast reveals is how rapidly popular opinion on a conservation issue can change within communities that see themselves as threatened. The Baird Government's forced change of policy also reveals how dramatic the retribution can be for any government that has been slow to act to protect local citizens. Premier Baird's drop in popularity and subsequent decision to quit the leadership of his Party seems to have been influenced by his initial decisions to ban greyhound racing and not place shark nets around towns on the states northern coast. Both these initial decisions were highly unpopular with key sections of the electorate and both were reversed to try to win back voter approval.
The Queensland Labor Government was re-elected in November, 2017. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is likely to watch the crocodile issue carefully when considering any possible change of policy between now and the next election.