Former
Senator George Georges heard evidence about kangaroo killing
for three and a half years as Chairman of the Senate Select
Committee on Animal Welfare from December 9th, 1983 to June
5th, 1987.
The
protection of our wildlife is a national responsibility.
The Senate should re-establish a Select Committee on Animal
Welfare with special reference for the protection of our indigenous
wildlife.
As
we approach the new millennium we need to reassess the threat
to our wildlife species.
While
on the one hand we encourage our young people to plant millions
of trees to regenerate our forests, birds and animals which
will inhabit these areas are under increasing pressure from
commercial exploitation.
The
moves to give to struggling landholders the ownership of the
wildlife on their properties for commercial exploitation must
be resisted strongly. The devastating effect of commercial harvesting
of kangaroos is an example of this exploitation.
The
industry was established as a clever means of kangaroo management
for the benefit of farmers. But, as anticipated the industry
took on a life of its own with its own monstrous agenda. It
sought increased quotas, and promoted greater markets. As a
result this year the legal quotas have reached almost 6 million
kangaroos, the highest on record.
If
you add to this the illegal killing of kangaroos then Australians
must accept that they are responsible for the greatest killing
of wildlife on earth.
The
nature and method of slaughter cannot be ignored. it is barbaric
and inhumane. Each night thousands of animals are butchered,
many are maimed, the young in pouch are cruelly dispatched and
the young at foot left to fend for themselves. Any reasonable
person would not wish to be a party to this slaughter by purchasing
kangaroo products.
