Dingo Protection
Page: 16554
The Hon. JOHN TINGLE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. Is the Minister aware of studies that have shown that the dingo is in danger of extinction? Is New South Wales taking any steps to ensure the survival of an iconic Australian native species? Since many of the attacks attributed to the dingo appear to actually have been made by wild dogs, or by dingo and wild dog crossbreeds, does the Government have any plans to try to control or eradicate these pests?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The control of wild dogs and dingoes to protect livestock is more difficult than the control of other feral animals because of the need to conserve dingoes in core areas of Crown land. Although the dingo is unprotected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 it is regarded as a native animal, and there is a broad community expectation that it be conserved. Nevertheless, wild dogs cause substantial losses to livestock in some tableland and coastal escarpment areas. The Government recognises the need for control programs in areas where attacks are caused by wild dogs moving out of lands under its control. The Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 requires declared pest animals on Crown lands to be controlled. Wild dogs, including dingoes, have been declared throughout New South Wales; hence the Government has a statutory obligation to control wild dogs on its estate.
A whole-of-government approach to balance the objectives of preventing attacks on livestock while conserving dingoes in core areas of some national parks has been incorporated into the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 through the pest control order for wild dogs. The order allows for the general destruction obligation for publicly managed lands to be satisfied through a wild dog management plan, with both control and conservation objectives, that has been approved for the district by the Rural Lands Protection Board.
In short, over the past few years the Government has gone to considerable efforts to promote dingo conservation. It has also taken the lead role in preparing wild dog management plans to minimise livestock impact. These plans also include dingo conservation as a key objective. Given the very significant economic and social impact of wild dogs on rural communities, the current approach is the most effective and pragmatic solution to the difficult and contentious issue of dingo conservation and wild dog control in New South Wales. I share the Hon. John Tingle's concern about the need for this iconic Australian animal to survive. He can trust that the Government will do everything possible to ensure that happens.