One Nation has surveyed Central and North Queenslanders, and the results are in – 82.9% of people in those areas support a crocodile cull.
Crocodile numbers are on the rise in Queensland, Australia, and they are posing a “greater risk to the community,” according to Senator Pauline Hanson. Joining the chorus of voices calling for a cull of the reptilian predators, Senator Hanson said that while the species were protected, their numbers were increasing, and the animals were being found far away from their usual habitats. She also said that the first responsibility of any government is to keep the community safe and that every other consideration is secondary to this priority.
An “overwhelming” number of central and north Queenslanders, four out of five people, support the idea of a cull, according to a survey undertaken by One Nation. This follows a fatal Croc attack that claimed the life of Laura Publican Kevin Darmody in Cape York over the weekend.
Polling undertaken by One Nation on Tuesday found that 82.9 per cent of people surveyed in an SMS poll in the electorate of Mirani backed a cull, and 2,700 people surveyed in a telephone poll in the electorate of Hinchinbrook. Respondents were asked if they supported “recent community calls for a crocodile cull in your area.”
Senator Hanson said saltwater crocodiles had been a protected species in Queensland since they were listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act (1992). “Since then, their numbers have increased, which could pose a greater risk to the Queensland community,” she said. “There is strong community support backing a reduction of crocodile numbers in Queensland.”
State government data showed 115 sightings in the past 30 days alone and 452 since January 1. A Department of Environment spokesman earlier this week said an independent committee of experts had endorsed Queensland as having a world-leading crocodile management program that was highly effective in reducing public safety risks while conserving wild populations.
One Nation asks, who are these experts, and do they care if these predators take Queenslanders at an alarming rate? How long will it take for Labor to fix this crisis?
While crocodiles are an essential part of the ecosystem, balancing their protection with the community’s safety is vital. A cull may be necessary to reduce crocodile numbers and minimize the risk of attacks on humans. However, it is also essential to ensure that any cull is carried out humanely and that it does not endanger the species’ survival in the long term.