Latest news with #BrumbyBill
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Nats' claim after MP's shock exit
The NSW Nationals are staking their claim over the south coast seat of Kiama, as long-term MP Gareth Ward finally falls on his sword while awaiting sentencing for rape. Ward resigned in a letter to Speaker Greg Piper on Friday morning, less than two hours before a motion to expel him was expected to go before the Legislative Assembly. The motion came after a challenge by Ward's lawyers to the Court of Appeal on Thursday failed, with both Labor and the Coalition voicing support for Friday's motion. As the dust finally settled over what could have been the first lower house expulsion in more than 100 years, questions of the now requisite by-election quickly emerged. Ex-Kiama MP Gareth Ward was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia Nationals MLC Wes Fang was in Kiama as recently as last week, meeting with Kiama Business Network treasurer Greg Langford and spruiking the trip on social media. 'While Gareth Ward was distracted by his court proceedings and subsequent conviction and revocation on bail, I've made sure I've been in Kiama, providing a voice to the electorate and raising their issues in the NSW parliament,' Mr Fang told NewsWire hours after Ward's expulsion. 'It's the NSW Nationals who have been showing up and helping the people on the ground and if asked to do so, we'd love the opportunity to represent the electorate through a Nationals local member.' In social media posts, Mr Fang shared images of the bright Nationals-green trailer he took with him to Kiama and spoke of discussions about the local business environment and cost of living. Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he had been in Kiama 'providing a voice to the electorate'. NewsWire /Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia It comes amid reports a motion from independent MP Joe McGirr to repeal ex-Liberal deputy premier John Barilaro's controversial 'Brumby Bill' could drive a wedge between the Liberals and Nationals. High-level discussions between Coalition partners, the NSW Liberals and Nationals, are expected to take place regarding Kiama. Asked whether the Liberals intended to run a candidate for Kiama, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said it would be a decision for the party's management committee. 'Obviously, I will make a request and recommendation to the management committee which, in the ordinary course, I would be confident would be followed,' he said. 'But, that's a matter for those discussions, and then it's a matter to discuss … with the Nationals what will happen under our Coalition agreement. 'Where there is a seat vacated, we have that discussion first before either or both of us declares we're going to run.' Asked if he believed it was important the Liberals run a candidate, Mr Speakman said 'discussions will be happening very quickly' within both parties. Ward, who in July was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent, was first elected as member for Kiama in 2011 and served in former premier Gladys Berejiklian's cabinet from 2019-2021. He was suspended from parliament in March 2022 after charges were laid before being re-elected a year later in a tight contest with Labor's Katelin McInerney. Ward won that contest by 0.08 per cent on the two-party preferred vote. Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia On Friday, Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama, with the by-election date expected to be set next week. Mr Minns would not confirm whether Ms McInerney would stand but admitted she was a likely frontrunner. Nonetheless, Mr Minns admitted the contest in Kiama would be tough, with Ward having been re-elected after charges were laid. 'They're independent minded down there, they'll make their own decisions,' he said. 'We would be going in with our eyes wide open, and this would be a very, very tough contest for Labor.'
The Age
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The Age
How Barilaro's Brumby Bill of 2018 is coming back to divide the NSW Coalition
A bill to repeal protections for the thousands of remaining wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro in 2018 is driving a wedge between the Coalition as Liberal MPs indicate they will support the effort despite opposition from the Nationals. Liberal backbenchers Aileen McDonald and Robert Dwyer said they were inclined to support the bill while former treasurer Matt Kean and former planning minister Rob Stokes both urged the party to repeal the legislation. Kean went as far as saying the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, also known as the Brumby Bill, was a 'mistake of potentially historic proportions'. Introduced by Barilaro in 2018 to recognise the cultural significance of brumbies in the south-west NSW national park, the bill mandated protecting a 'heritage herd' of feral horses but sparked uproar because of the environmental damage the introduced species caused. Provisions within the bill that prohibited culling, including aerial shooting, meant the population of brumbies rocketed until amendments in 2023 allowed lethal means. The number of horses dropped to between 1579 and 5717, according to a government survey in May. Wagga Wagga independent MP Joe McGirr's Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025 was due to be debated in parliament this week but will probably be delayed. The Coalition's shadow cabinet has not yet considered the bill, and neither have either of the parties' caucuses. In May, a petition with 11,000 signatures calling for the repeal of the Brumby Bill was debated in parliament. In an email obtained by the Herald, Dwyer's electorate office says the recently elected Liberal MP has informed Opposition Leader Mark Speakman he would support McGirr's repeal bill.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Barilaro's Brumby Bill of 2018 is coming back to divide the NSW Coalition
A bill to repeal protections for the thousands of remaining wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro in 2018 is driving a wedge between the Coalition as Liberal MPs indicate they will support the effort despite opposition from the Nationals. Liberal backbenchers Aileen McDonald and Robert Dwyer said they were inclined to support the bill while former treasurer Matt Kean and former planning minister Rob Stokes both urged the party to repeal the legislation. Kean went as far as saying the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, also known as the Brumby Bill, was a 'mistake of potentially historic proportions'. Introduced by Barilaro in 2018 to recognise the cultural significance of brumbies in the south-west NSW national park, the bill mandated protecting a 'heritage herd' of feral horses but sparked uproar because of the environmental damage the introduced species caused. Provisions within the bill that prohibited culling, including aerial shooting, meant the population of brumbies rocketed until amendments in 2023 allowed lethal means. The number of horses dropped to between 1579 and 5717, according to a government survey in May. Wagga Wagga independent MP Joe McGirr's Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025 was due to be debated in parliament this week but will probably be delayed. The Coalition's shadow cabinet has not yet considered the bill, and neither have either of the parties' caucuses. In May, a petition with 11,000 signatures calling for the repeal of the Brumby Bill was debated in parliament. In an email obtained by the Herald, Dwyer's electorate office says the recently elected Liberal MP has informed Opposition Leader Mark Speakman he would support McGirr's repeal bill.
Sky News AU
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
The future of NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies may hang in the balance if a new bill is passed to repeal controversial protections for the invasive species. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr gave notice on Wednesday of his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. The Act, introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro, recognised the 'heritage' value of brumbies and mandated their population be reduced to 3000. While it will be years until a new target is set, Invasive Species CEO Jack Gough said even one horse in Kosciuszko would cause 'enormous amounts of damage'. 'The question is the scale of damage that we're prepared to accept,' Mr Gough said alongside Mr McGirr on Wednesday. 'Having 1/3 of the national park set up as an area that is essentially a horse paddock instead of a national park is not something that Australians want.' Mr Gough admitted it would be difficult to reduce the number of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park to zero, but stressed the risk the brumbies posed. 'We know that the Australian landscape did not evolve with large, heavy, hard-hoofed animals that are cutting up that landscape,' he said. 'They are draining the peat moss and are causing enormous amount of damage to the homes of our native species.' In May, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service reported as few as 1500 brumbies may be left in the park following extensive aerial culling. While images released by the Park service showed recovery to the fragile alpine ecosystem, the method of reducing horse numbers has been controversial. Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said there was 'no justification' for aerial shooting at Kosciuszko, and that the party would not be supporting Mr McGirr's bill. If it was passed, she expressed concern it would result in a 'push to kill any remaining animals that are there in the park'. 'The push to actually repeal this act, to open the doors to allow for that killing is mind boggling,' she said. Ms Hurst called on NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to 'keep her word' about aerial shooting. Ms Sharpe told a budget estimates committee aerial shooting had 'ceased for now' in the horse retention area after the population reports were released. Further aerial shooting has taken place outside of the retention area from June 10 until June 30, targeting 'all feral animals'. In a statement, Ms Sharpe said the state government was close to reaching the legislated targeted of 3000 wild horses in Kosciuszko, two years ahead of deadline. 'We're now focused on population management,' she said. 'We will have a look at the Bill, as we do with all Bills.' Future of the Brumby Bill remains unclear If passed, the Mr McGirr's bill would create a transition period from January 1 until July 1, 2027, at which point the previous management plan would end. The Wild Horses Community Advisory Panel will also be dissolved, with the state government freed up to create a new management plan. On Wednesday, Mr Gough and Mr McGirr expressed their confidence that the Bill would be approved with support from Labor and Liberals. Mr Gough said the so-called Brumby Bill had 'no friends left' in either the upper or lower houses, including from the Liberals, Greens, and Labor. Ms Hurst was less certain, raising the possibility it may not be supported by Nationals Party or the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party. Australian Brumby Alliance President Nikki Alberts is part of a vocal minority in the community who stridently oppose the shooting of brumbies in the park. She also expressed fears that if the Heritage Act was repealed 'they'll go in and shoot them (the brumbies) all'. Ms Alberts said the Alliance had put forward a proposal for management of the brumby population, with a focus on rehoming. Currently, the NSW government employs a range of brumby management measures, including trapping and rehoming and early-days immunocontraceptives. Originally published as New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NSW brumby population plummets to 1500 in ‘turning point' for famed Snowy Mountains
The number of feral horses roaming NSW's Kosciuszko National Park could be as low as just 1500 as wildlife activists herald the success of controversial aerial culling. An October 2024 report found that between 1500 and 6000 brumbies likely remained in the park, down from a whopping 13,000 to 22,000 reported the previous year. The survey puts the state government well ahead of its legally mandated goal of reducing the population to 3000 by June 30, 2027. Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said the report was a 'turning point' and 'nature is responding' to the dramatic reduction in feral horses. 'Fewer hard-hoofed feral animals trampling the fragile alpine environment means more native species returning,' Mr Gough said. 'More delicate wetlands recovering and more hope for one of Australia's most vulnerable national parks. 'Now we need all sides of politics to come together to keep up this momentum for a wildlife revival by overturning the law which requires 3000 feral horses to remain trashing and trampling one third of the iconic Kosciuszko National Park.' Introduced by former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, the so-called Brumby Bill – known properly as the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act – recognised the 'heritage value' of wild horse populations within parts of the park and mandated numbers be reduced to just 3000. The Invasive Species Council, at the time, said the Bill 'turned Australia into a global laughing stock', and it was heavily criticised by academics and environmental activists groups who have long decried the harmful impacts of the invasive horses on the delicate alpine ecosystem. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr introduced a petition to repeal the Bill, which was signed by more than 11,000 people, to parliament earlier this month, with no MPs from Labor, Liberals or the Greens speaking against the petition, including Monaro MP Steve Wahn. 'Barilaro's brumby law has no friends in parliament, other than a few fringe voices in the upper house, and the next step must be for parliament to repeal this bad law once and for all,' Dr Gough said, having previously called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to repeal the Brumby Bill. The state government survey also comes after new photos were released by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service of recovery in the Kosciuszko National Park. Reclaim Kosci founder and Invasive Species Council Indigenous ambassador Richard Swain said feral horses 'trample our fragile landscapes, pollute our streams, and damage sacred Country'. 'Finally, the health of the soil, water and our native species in the Snowy Mountains is healing, but we need to fix the ridiculous law that still protects a feral animal over our native plants and animals,' she said. 'It's a national park, not a horse paddock. 'For the sake of the high country, it is past time that we put to bed the senseless arguments and accept the evidence that removing feral horses is the only way of protecting Country from this destruction.' ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society professor Jamie Pittock said the new images 'should be the catalyst – let's stop debating numbers and get on with the job of protecting the park'. 'Kosciuszko is home to threatened species like the northern corroboree frog, broad-toothed rat and critically endangered alpine she-oak skink – all of which suffer when feral horses degrade their habitat,' he said. 'Every delay puts this more at risk.' The state government survey used two independent scientific methods – both showing a significant drop off in numbers compared with previous years, albeit it with some variation between estimates. The Australian Brumby Alliance, which has have been vocally opposed to aerial culling of feral horses, are yet to respond to the report, which was released on Wednesday, but has been critical of population control. The organisation is supporting a parallel petition by NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst that is calling on the state government to implement 'nonlethal solutions', namely rescue and rehoming of wild horses. An attempt to stop aerial culling of wild horses was dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court last year.
