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

Mr Deputy President, on 29 November 2012 during question time, Senator McKenzie asked me a question as Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. I seek leave to incorporate the answer.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

MINISTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND

COMMUNITIES

(Senate Question without Notice)

On 29 November 2012 during question time, Senator McKenzie asked me a question as Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities:

The ACT Labor government continues to use grazing as a fuel reduction measure, recent media reports indicate. Indeed, in the last fire season, the Fire management Unit stated: 'Grazing is a crucial component of the ACT's hazard reduction program'. As we head into summer do your support the ACT Labor government's continued use of strategic grazing to keep the territory safe from fire?"

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable Senator's question:

On 22 October 2011, a regulation came into effect which removed any doubt that grazing of domestic stock within the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves has a significant impact on the values of that place.

This reinforces the Australian government's commitment to ensuring appropriate protection is in place for the unique environment of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves.

The ACT Government's 2011/12 Bushfire Operations Plan outlines the hazard reduction strategies to be employed throughout ACT parks and reserves. While the ACT proposes to use grazing as a hazard reduction strategy across more than 7,000 hectares of the ACT, it will not be used in the two parks or reserves which are part of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves. These are the Namadgi National Park (the ACT's only national park) and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

I note that the only fuel reduction activities planned in these parks/reserves are burning and slashing. I am advised that grazing is not used for hazard reduction in any areas of particular conservation and recreational value within the ACT.