Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for that very detailed question. It was almost about a policy. The Australian government is continuing to streamline regulation for dealing with problematic flying fox counts. The government understands that there are common concerns about hendra virus and lyssavirus and recognises the need to ensure the safety of local communities while protecting our unique natural environment. Minister Burke is aware that on 22 February 2013 an eight-year-old boy died after being infected with the Australian bat lyssavirus. This is the third case of this virus to be confirmed in Australia and the first since 1998. This disease can be carried by any bat or flying fox in Australia. The most effective way to avoid this virus is to avoid handling bats or flying foxes. Only people trained in the care of bats should handle bats or flying foxes.

As to the specifics of the monitoring program, the first national count under the National Flying Fox Monitoring Program was held from 14 to 16 February 2013. The Australian government is working with CSIRO and state agencies to count animals in every known roosting site of the grey-headed and the spectacled flying fox four times a year. The program will improve data on the population status, the trend and the risks associated with flying foxes. The data will help to manage the potential impact of flying foxes on agriculture and public health, while recognising the important role as pollinators in our native forests. The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities funded CSIRO initially to develop the monitoring methodology and has provided an additional $700,000 from the National Environmental Research Program and another— (Time expired)