Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said the new law would put science over ideology. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga MP Joe McGirr’s bill to remove protections on the killing of feral horses in the Snowy Mountains has passed both houses of parliament and is set to become law.
Just before midnight on Thursday (27 November), the Upper House voted resoundingly 19 to 7 to support the legislation.
All Labor, Green and most Liberal MPs voted in favour of it.
The only opposition came from Nationals MPs Wes Fang, Nicole Overall and Sarah Mitchell; Liberal Rachel Merton; Animal Justice Party’s Emma Hurst; and former One Nation MPs turned independents Rod Roberts and Tania Mihailuk.
Dr McGirr’s bill repealed former Nationals leader John Barilaro’s Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, which recognised the heritage value of the brumbies and sought to protect their presence in the Snowy Mountains.
“Today the NSW Parliament has corrected a serious mistake. The Wild Horse Heritage Act put symbolism ahead of science and ideology ahead of evidence – and our most fragile alpine landscapes paid the price,” Dr McGirr said.
“Repealing this law restores integrity to environmental decision-making in NSW. It puts the protection of endangered species, alpine wetlands and drinking-water catchments back where it belongs – in the hands of our professional national parks staff.”
Liberal MP Rachel Merton explained why she was the only dissenter in her party.
“Crossing the floor is not a decision to make lightly, but there was no way I could support legislation that will lead to much more of the cruel mass aerial killing of our brumbies and the destruction of an integral part of our Australian culture,” she said.
“Whilst we were not successful, I will continue to advocate for the protection of our brumbies, and in defence of our rich Australian history and culture that these magnificent horses represent.”
Her Liberal Party colleague Justin Clancy, whose Albury electorate covers one third of Kosciuszko National Park, took a very different view.
“This decision is about the kind of legacy we leave behind. Kosciuszko is a living, breathing landscape that demands active care,” he said.
“Protecting it now means future generations will inherit a park defined by healthy rivers, thriving wildlife and resilient high country.”
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson had long campaigned against the Barilaro bill.
“The legal retention of damaging invasive species in the Kosciuszko National Park was offensive to the majority of people in NSW, and thousands of our members and supporters will be sighing with relief now that this repeal bill has passed,” she said.
“Our precious and singular alpine protected area that is Kosci will finally be prioritised for the native species that can live nowhere else in the world. This is a win that we can all celebrate together, along with the precious broad-toothed rat and corroboree frog.”
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
