Policy snapshot June 2015

Recent government policy developments relevant to the Wet Tropics:

  1. threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats. Consultation closes 8 July 2015.
  2. threat abatement plan for predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Consultation closes 24 July 2015
  • For comment - Review of Queensland’s Biodiscovery Act 2004. Biodiscovery involves collecting samples of native biological materials (e.g. plants, animals and other organisms) to test for compounds that may have commercial applications (e.g. pharmaceuticals and insecticides). Submissions due 29 June 2015.
  • The Australian Government is hosting a national  Threatened Species Summit  in Melbourne on July 16. The Government’s first national Threatened Species Strategy will be launched at the Summit which will bring together state and territory governments, NRM organisations, businesses, trusts, scientists and non-government organisations. The Wet Tropics Management Authority has been invited to attend.
  • The Threatened Species Commissioner has released a six month progress report  outlining achievements to date and highlighting key findings and future directions. The Commissioner works collaboratively with the national Threatened Species Scientific Committee and the community to broker solutions that avoid the extinction of Australia’s native species.
  • The Commonwealth Government’s Biosecurity Bill 2014 r ecently passed through the Senate and will now enter the House of Representatives for debate. The Bill provides a modern regulatory framework for the management of biosecurity risks to support Australia’s biosecurity system. For more information on the Bill and supporting legislation, visit the Department of Agriculture or subscribe to the Biosecurity Bill 2014 subscription list​.
  • The Senate Inquiry into Environmental Biosecurity has delivered its final report into the adequacy of arrangements to prevent the entry and establishment of invasive species likely to harm Australia's natural environment. The report includes a list of 26 recommendations. Submissions to the Inquiry and related documentation can be found here.

Policy snapshot June 2015

Share Connect Protect