Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question without notice to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. Is the minister aware that environmental legislation, in the light of the explosion of flying fox numbers, has placed in jeopardy much of the fruit and vegetable industry and is forcing people to abandon their homes? Is the minister aware that, in the cases Booth v Bosworth and Booth v Yardley, it was established that this legislation authorises the pimping on and prosecution of ordinary Australians? Finally, is the minister aware that the 2005 report by Queensland Health states that flying foxes carry SARS, hendra disease, salmonella, leptospirosis—

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You think it is funny. I do not think it is very funny at all.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Kennedy will come to his question.

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the minister aware that six per cent of bats in 2001 tested positive to the deadly lissavirus, indicating apparently that the protection of bats is more important than the lives of Australians?

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sure that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage is well aware of the issues raised by the honourable member. Indeed, he has responded on a number of occasions. You will be aware that there are amendments proposed to the EPBC Act, which will make it possible to deal with some of those sorts of issues. It is a difficult exercise to balance the importance of conserving Australia’s native life with enabling farmers to routinely and properly go about their business. The government seeks to achieve that balance and to put in place legislation that is both workable and effective but fair to all Australians.