Qld croc policy: Katter Party pitches hunting, culling and removal as part of crocodile reform
Sweeping reform to allow Indigenous-led trophy hunting of crocodiles, culling, removal of predators from private land and the setting up of a croc management body will be introduced to the state parliament.
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Sweeping reform to allow Indigenous-led trophy hunting of crocodiles, culling, removal of predators from private land and the setting up of a croc management body will be introduced to the state parliament.
Under the proposed shake-up of dangerous animal management, decentralised control of crocodiles from Brisbane would mean the setting up of Queensland Crocodile Authority in Cairns.
The body would provide “balanced management policy” to reduce the threat to human life while creating commercial opportunities and ensuring crocodiles don’t become extinct.
The radical plan advocates for removal of crocodiles from populated waterways in a “zero tolerance” approach to human and croc interactions.
On Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land the bill promotes the killing of crocodiles in exchange for cash or free of charge in a move toward safari-style big game tourism currently being considered by the Northern Territory Government.
Under powers handed to the Queensland Crocodile Authority director, the resident of North Queensland could decide the number of crocodiles culled each year in any part of the state.
Hill MP Shane Knuth will table the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024 on Wednesday.
The Atherton based Katter’s Australian Party MP said the bill cleared up current mixed messaging for international visitors to Queensland and prioritised preservation of human life before that of crocodiles.
“I am saddened that our tourism industry is trying to promote our beautiful beaches and waterways, but when tourists arrive all they see are crocs signs and beach closures and (are) warned that if you swim you are potentially going to be ripped to pieces,” he said.
“It is ridiculous that current practice dictates (that) crocodiles will be observed for any dangerous behaviour before removal.
“Any crocodile in any waterway used by humans is a direct danger to human life and should be removed immediately.”
The bill states private landowners could request the removal of crocs from their land and an investigation into the viability of using state land as croc sanctuaries would be a shift away from the current situation that relies on privately-owned zoos and farms to house animals removed from the wild.
Referencing a push by Northern Territory traditional owners to get high-end clients into Arnhem Land to hunt for saltwater crocodiles, Mr Knuth said the bill sets out opportunities for the economic development of first nation peoples.
“I want to stress that the KAP policy has never been about wiping out the crocodile population,” he said.
“It is about restoring the balance between the crocodile population and protecting human life.”
Since 1975, there have been 58 recorded estuarine crocodile attacks on humans in Queensland, 19 of which have been fatal.
Most recently in the Far North Edward Warusam, Kevin Darmody and Andy Heard lost their lives to croc attacks.
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Originally published as Qld croc policy: Katter Party pitches hunting, culling and removal as part of crocodile reform
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