❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Environment regarding the cultural and ecological implications of classifying dingoes as non-fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The Minister's response indicates no change to existing dingo management and lack of feedback suggesting cultural insensitivity.
AnsweredQoN 1505Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Dingoes are considered a native species by virtue of being present in Australia prior to 1400, and would
consequently be fauna under the Western Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act), which received Royal Assent on 21 September 2016. It is proposed that the Minister will make an order under section 9(2) that determines that the
dingo Canis familiaris is not fauna for the purposes of the Act. The Biodiversity Conservation Regulations are intended to
commence on 1 January 2019. I ask: (a) given that the Australian dingo (as a breed) is recognised as having heritage and cultural significance, and are an important part of Aboriginal culture/heritage is this declaration of "Dingo as not fauna" culturally
insensitive to traditional owners; (b) given that the Australian dingo (as a breed) may play an ecological role and are believed to be effective at controlling rabbits, wild pigs, goats and kangaroos (i.e. have an
ecological and economic role), and may supress or displace feral cats and foxes (although this is debated in
the literature and has not been demonstrated experimentally), is more research required to understand the ecological role of the dingo and the benefits of having a functional dingo group on the land; (c) given that the Australian dingo represent an ancient lineage of domesticated dogs, different to modern domestic dogs, are current control methods focused on "wild dogs" culturally
insensitive to traditional owners, as they cannot differentiate between feral
dog and dingo; (d) given the Australian dingo have been a part of the Australian landscape for approximately 4,000 years, is it culturally insensitive to ask Aboriginal Rangers to control dingoes; and (e) if no to (a), (b), (c), and/or (d), will the Minister explain why and based on what scientific research?
consequently be fauna under the Western Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act), which received Royal Assent on 21 September 2016. It is proposed that the Minister will make an order under section 9(2) that determines that the
dingo Canis familiaris is not fauna for the purposes of the Act. The Biodiversity Conservation Regulations are intended to
commence on 1 January 2019. I ask: (a) given that the Australian dingo (as a breed) is recognised as having heritage and cultural significance, and are an important part of Aboriginal culture/heritage is this declaration of "Dingo as not fauna" culturally
insensitive to traditional owners; (b) given that the Australian dingo (as a breed) may play an ecological role and are believed to be effective at controlling rabbits, wild pigs, goats and kangaroos (i.e. have an
ecological and economic role), and may supress or displace feral cats and foxes (although this is debated in
the literature and has not been demonstrated experimentally), is more research required to understand the ecological role of the dingo and the benefits of having a functional dingo group on the land; (c) given that the Australian dingo represent an ancient lineage of domesticated dogs, different to modern domestic dogs, are current control methods focused on "wild dogs" culturally
insensitive to traditional owners, as they cannot differentiate between feral
dog and dingo; (d) given the Australian dingo have been a part of the Australian landscape for approximately 4,000 years, is it culturally insensitive to ask Aboriginal Rangers to control dingoes; and (e) if no to (a), (b), (c), and/or (d), will the Minister explain why and based on what scientific research?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 September 2018
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
10 days
Answer
I thank the Hon Member for some notice of this question:
(a) No change is proposed to the status of dingoes. The proposed order under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 will have the same effect as the current notice made under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 in 1984, which made the dingo unprotected in Western Australia. During my time as Minister, I have not received any feedback or correspondence from Aboriginal people indicating that they consider this practice culturally insensitive.
(b) Further research on matters such as these are always welcome additions to scientific knowledge.
(c) Wild dogs are managed under the Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2020 . During my time as Minister, I have not received any feedback or correspondence from Aboriginal people indicating that they consider this practice culturally insensitive.
(d ) The classification of wild dogs implies no obligation on Aboriginal Rangers. There has been historic involvement of Aboriginal people in the management of dogs and Ranger groups may pursue this activity at their own discretion.
(e) Not applicable.
I thank the Hon Member for some notice of this question:
(a) No change is proposed to the status of dingoes. The proposed order under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 will have the same effect as the current notice made under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 in 1984, which made the dingo unprotected in Western Australia. During my time as Minister, I have not received any feedback or correspondence from Aboriginal people indicating that they consider this practice culturally insensitive.
(b) Further research on matters such as these are always welcome additions to scientific knowledge.
(c) Wild dogs are managed under the Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2020 . During my time as Minister, I have not received any feedback or correspondence from Aboriginal people indicating that they consider this practice culturally insensitive.
(d ) The classification of wild dogs implies no obligation on Aboriginal Rangers. There has been historic involvement of Aboriginal people in the management of dogs and Ranger groups may pursue this activity at their own discretion.
(e) Not applicable.
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