Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I can indicate that I have advice in relation to the reports of affected wildlife off the Kimberley coast. I am advised the matter is currently being pursued by the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, as the area in question falls within the state’s jurisdiction. I am further advised that the department—and I assume that that is the Western Australian department—has engaged an expert who coordinated the oiled wildlife response to the Moreton Bay spill earlier in 2009 to undertake a flight over the affected area and to prepare a preliminary wildlife response plan.

I also am advised that a wildlife response plan has been prepared by the department, based on expert advice. The plan details current actions being undertaken using resources provided by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service command based at Ashmore and Cartier reserves, as well as actions to be undertaken in the event that any oiled wildlife is found. Two experts are travelling to these reserves to undertake on-ground assessment of wildlife, and trained Customs officers— (Time expired)