Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Further to the answer to question in writing No. 906 from the 45th parliament (House Hansard, 28 March 2018, page 3224): (a) since expending the $500,000, what funding has the Government: (i) allocated and on what date; and (ii) disbursed and on what date; and (b) on what date did activity under this funding for the eradication of feral cats on Kangaroo Island cease.

(1) (2) Further to the answer to question in writing No. 10 (HouseHansard , 9 September 2019, page 2223): (a) will any of the $1.5 million for Dunnart recovery efforts on Kangaroo Island be expended for feral cat eradication; if so, what is the projected amount.

Subject to negotiations with the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board and in light of the extensive bushfires on the island, the $1.5 million Environment Restoration Fund project is likely to include feral cat management to safe guard any Dunnart populations that survive the fires.

(3) Does the Government plan to provide further funding for feral cat eradication; if so: (a) in which months and years; and (b) what amounts.

The Government will continue to deliver its $2 million Regional Land Partnerships project 'Creating a safe haven for the Kangaroo Island Dunnart and other priority threatened species by eradicating feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula'.

Subject to negotiations with the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board and in light of the extensive bushfires on the island, the $1.5 million Environment Restoration Fund project is likely to include feral cat management to safe guard any Dunnart populations that survive the fires.

As noted in the table in response to Question 1, $200,000 has recently been allocated to the Kangaroo Island Nature Resources Management Board to assist the recovery of threatened species and threatened ecological communities in areas impacted by bushfires on the island. Funding will support emergency intervention activities such as priority pest animal control, which may include feral cat management.

This funding is part of the Australian Government's initial investment of $50 million to support immediate work to protect wildlife and longer-term protection and restoration efforts. The $50 million funding package comprises:

See this speech in context