The time has come to say fair’s fair – Private Members Bill will provide Garrett with the power to have Maclean bats removed

February 10, 2010

Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker will introduce a Private Member’s Bill into the Federal Parliament over the farcical situation where flying foxes continue to threaten the welfare of students and teachers at Maclean High School.

Mr Hartsuyker said the Private Members Bill will call on the Parliament to provide the Federal Minister for the Environment with emergency powers to approve the removal of species which threaten the health and well being of people.

“Students, teachers and Maclean resident residents have had enough and the time has come for the Minister to stop hiding behind the bureaucrats and start putting people before bats. The paper shuffling and endless delays of the so called flying fox “Working Group” has descended into a farce. The Parliament needs to provide the Minister with the necessary powers so that the Minister can intervene when there is a genuine health risk.”

Mr Hartsuyker said reports this week that a teacher slipped on flying fox faeces at Maclean High School and students were being soiled on by the bats have highlighted the need for action.

“If bureaucrats are exploiting the web of State and Federal legislation to stop anything happening then the Federal legislation needs to be amended so that the Federal Minister can intervene. What is it going to take before both the Federal and State Governments do something? Does a child have to get sick, does a resident have to be bitten or does  Workcover have to condemn the school a health hazard?”

Mr Hartsuyker called on the Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin to support the Private Members Bill.

“Janelle Saffin can’t wash her hands of this issue just because the school is not in the Page electorate. More than half of the school community live in Page and it’s high time she started representing the interests of her constituents.”

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