Hartsuyker calls on Saffin for bipartisan support to fix Maclean bats issue

December 9, 2009

Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker has called on Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin to support moves to have the flying fox colony relocated from Maclean.Mr Hartsuyker has written to Ms Saffin seeking bipartisan support to resolve the issue.

“It has become very clear that the issue is simply being passed between government agencies and bureaucrats without anyone taking responsibility to fix the problem.  In my view people have to be the priority. And we can’t let this issue go on an on. Janelle Saffin has a responsibility to stand up and represent her constituents."

 

Although Maclean High School is in the Cowper electorate, many students and teachers attending the school live in the Page electorate.  “I am therefore seeking her support to have this matter resolved.  A number of Page constituents have contacted me expressing disappointment that Ms Saffin has washed her hands of the issue.  I have written to the Prime Minister, the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Health on this issue and none of them have personally responded.  They are treating Maclean residents and students and teachers at Maclean High School as second class citizens.”

 

Last month Mr Hartsuyker raised the Maclean bat issue in the Federal Parliament. "We have a situation where it appears that the primary concern of government departments, both state and federal, is the health of bats and the total and wilful neglect of the health of people,” Mr Hartsuyker told the parliament. Governments, State and Federal, owe a duty of care to the students of Maclean High and Maclean TAFE and the residents of the surrounding area. This duty is being neglected in favour of the interests of a colony of bats.”

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