January 11, 2015
Member for Nanango – and Shadow Agriculture Minister – Deb Frecklington has accused the State Government of “stacking” the wild dog advisory board QDOG with “greenies” and “bureaucrats”.
The QDOG committee advises the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on the best strategic direction to take in wild dog management.
Mrs Frecklington said wild dogs were estimated to cost Queensland livestock industries $100 million a year.
“Labor seems to believe the wild dog menace will be solved by shiny new fences being erected in cluster models promoted by individuals and some local shires,” she said.
“Trapping, shooting and coordinated shire-wide ground and aerial baiting programs are vital and need to be continued, and this is where leadership is really needed.”
Mrs Frecklington said it appeared Labor had “washed its hands of any direct involvement in the issue”.
“The Palaszczuk Government has downgraded program leadership, stacked the key advisory board and failed to hold regular meetings,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Former Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne abrogated any direct responsibility by adding layers of bureaucratic reporting that removed ministerial involvement in overseeing management of wild dogs.
“Mr Byrne went to great lengths to remove himself from any responsibility, and the new Minister Leanne Donaldson is nowhere to be found.
“Labor isn’t interested in addressing this problem and it’s going to cost Queenslanders dearly.”
The incoming ALP government sacked the LNP-appointed QDOG committee in August; the committee had not met since December 2014.
The new committee met for the first time in September.
Ms Frecklington said Minister Byrne had to be embarrassed into finally convening a QDOG meeting and the minutes from this meeting were yet to be circulated.
“Mr Byrne also watered down the practical composition of the board, stacking it with greenies, shire clerks and bureaucrats with little to no knowledge of the terrible impact of wild dogs and how to control them.”
Ms Frecklington said under the LNP, QDOG had direct access to the Minister who regularly attended meetings and demanded on-time reporting.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government disinterest is hurting our agriculture sector and holding Queensland back.”
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Current QDOG members are:
- Mr Dave Edwards (Chairman and former Quilpie Mayor)
- Mr Darren Dallinger (Co-ordinator Healthy Places, Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Mr Des Howard (Chief Executive Officer, Barcaldine Regional Council)
- Mr Neil Polglase (Chief Executive Officer, Murweh Shire Council)
- Dr Geoff Lundie-Jenkins (Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing)
- Mr Chris Egerton (Central Queensland Dog Watch Committee)
- Mr Greg Mifsud (National Wild Dog Facilitator)
- Mr Des Boyland (Queensland Conservation Council)
- Mr Peter Lucas (AgForce Queensland, Sheep and Wool Board)
- Mr Michael McKellar (AgForce Queensland, Cattle Board)
- Mr Col Malone (Gulf Catchments Pest Taskforce)
- Dr John Robertson (General Manager, Invasive Plants and Animals, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)
