❓ The WA government has allocated $2.5 million to prevent cane toads entering WA, working with the Cane Toad Foundation and volunteers. The response highlights concerns about Commonwealth funding and volunteer safety.
AnsweredQoN 524Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
What is the current status of the state government’s campaign to stop the spread of cane toads into Western Australia? Several members interjected. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member fore Avon for the first time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I thank the member for the question because this is an important issue. If the cane toad moves into Western Australia it will impact on our biodiversity and lifestyles. Members will be aware that the state government has allocated $2.5 million towards preventing the cane toad from entering WA. Half a million dollars of that has gone to the state Cane Toad Foundation. We are working very closely with that foundation to ensure no duplication of effort occurs. We are also making sure our volunteers are managed appropriately. Many people are volunteering to go to the western front and help get rid of cane toads. However, we must ensure that, given the difficulties of the terrain in that area, all the proper protections, particularly insurance protection, are in place. The Department of Conservation and Land Management has made an offer to the foundation to enrol those volunteers in its programs to make sure that they have those protections and can carry out very valuable work for the state knowing that they are fully protected. I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I thank the volunteers for what they did last Saturday, when they travelled 200 kilometres east into the Northern Territory to the Victoria River. They investigated the situation there and collected 47 cane toads. Traps are now in place in that location. Before the onset of the wet season, a further grid will be in place to the west of the Victoria River Roadhouse and bridge to catch any toads that move in a westerly direction. The terrain of that area worries me; it is densely wooded, it can be very wet and there are crocodiles and snakes - it is not the sort of area to which we would want to send paid employees or volunteers to set traps. I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
I am heartened by a recent scientific report that roads and tracks appear to be incredibly important for the movement of cane toads. We will continue with the surveillance and monitoring of roads and tracks. Signs are now in place along the roads. Before members opposite say that cane toads do not read, I say that the drivers of cars do read. It is important that people check their loads. Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Several members interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS : Members opposite are very predictable. As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
As I said, the state has contributed $2.5 million to this project. I am saddened to report to the house that, despite numerous letters and conversations with commonwealth ministers and officials, to date the commonwealth has committed only $600 000 to this problem. Can members guess where that money is coming from? It is Natural Heritage Trust money that has been diverted from areas to which it may already have been allocated. It is a sad reflection that we are relying on money from the first partial sale of Telstra to provide funding for cane toad projects. The only good thing that may come out of what has happened in the past 24 hours is that it may be the only way we will get more money from the commonwealth for cane toad projects.
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