Canberra Liberals commit to independent review into kangaroo cull

The Canberra Liberals will commission an independent review into the kangaroo cull if elected next year and will put in place a moratorium on the cull until the outcome of the review is completed.

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee said the review will investigate a number of areas related to the cull including counting methodology and possible alternatives, environmental impacts such as bushfire fuel reduction, and preservation of biodiversity.

“Canberrans are uncomfortable with current practices that involves the clubbing to death of pouch joeys along with joeys at foot,” Ms Lee said.

“Many have also disputed the methodology used by the Kangaroo Management Unit within the EPSDD to count the number of kangaroos with population estimates from the ACT government referred to as ‘highly questionable’.

“An independent review will look at the current program and assess potential better practice methods than what is currently in place.

“The Canberra Liberals will ensure a thorough independent review takes place into the controversial kangaroo cull and that the practices used are the most effective and in line with community expectations,” Ms Lee concluded.

Shadow Minister for the Environment Nicole Lawder said wildlife rescue groups need to be allowed greater flexibility to care for joeys and other injured or orphaned wildlife in the ACT.

“There are a wide range of views from community members regarding the ACT government’s kangaroo cull program and that is why the best way forward is to commission an independent review with public hearings,” Ms Lawder said.

“The clubbing of orphaned joeys to death or leaving them to starve is abhorrent and hypocritical from Greens Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti who is responsible for the kangaroo cull program.

“If the ACT Greens are at all serious about evidence-based measures when it comes to culling kangaroos above protecting their political alliance with the Labor Party they will support an independent review,” Ms Lawder concluded.