Question Time AU

General Debate

Animal Welfare

House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Bob Katter criticised government and environmental policies regarding wildlife management in North Queensland. He argued that restrictions on hunting invasive species like pigs threaten native animals such as cassowaries and turtles. Katter also condemned the protection of sharks and crocodiles, citing safety risks and ecological imbalance. He claimed that bureaucratic decisions made in Canberra and Brisbane ignore local realities and harm both nature and human enjoyment of the region.

Outcome

The debate concluded with no further speakers or formal vote recorded in the provided transcript.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Bob Katter (Kennedy) (Katter's Australian Party) KAP

Katter argued that protecting crocodiles and sharks endangers human lives and disrupts the natural balance. Katter claimed that banning shooters from national parks allows feral pig populations to explode, leading to the destruction of cassowary and turtle eggs. Katter criticised the $42 million cassowary overpass as a flawed project that ignores the physical limitations of the birds. Katter asserted that current policies are driven by ignorance and arrogance, resulting in ecological damage and reduced food production.