Hartsuyker’s Maclean bats bill to be voted on this Thursday

November 22, 2010

Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker’s Maclean bats bill will be voted on this Thursday after it was debated in the House of Representatives this morning (Monday).

If passed by parliament, Mr Hartsuyker’s bill will see the Federal minister removed from the bats dispersal process, thereby clearing the way for their relocation.

“The bill unconditionally approves the relocation of the flying fox colony situated in the Maclean High School area, once the State approvals have been satisfied,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“This would end the ongoing obstacles for relocation – that is the bureaucratic buck-passing which saw no-one taking responsibility for the issue. The licence approval recently approved by the Federal Government only represents a partial solution to a wider community problem,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“The Maclean community has seen plenty of government promises result in very little action to resolve the Maclean flying fox issue.  That is why my Private Members Bill is so important. It effectively removes the Federal Department from the bureaucratic merry-go-round which has seen endless delays in having this matter addressed.”

Mr Hartsuyker said he was very disappointed that Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin spoke against the bill.

“From day one Janelle Saffin has let down her constituents on this very important issue. Fifty per cent of the school community live in her electorate but she did not see it as her problem.

“For more than a year she has been flip flopping on the issue and failing to fight for the people she is meant to represent. For example, on December 16 last year the media reported she opposed the relocation of the bats. On February 11 this year she was reported in the media as supporting the relocation of Maclean High School.

“Then, once community outrage took hold, she proceeded to point the finger at everyone else but herself and the Federal Government. It was a bureaucratic circus and the Member for Page just became a part of the act.

“The reality is government at every level has treated the school community and local residents with contempt. That is why the Maclean High School P and C withdrew from the bats working group on February 1 of this year.

“Well it is time to end any further delay. We need to ensure there are no further Federal obstacles placed in the way to achieving a positive outcome for both the highs school and the surrounding community. I look forward to securing the support of the House on Thursday which will enable the bill to proceed to the Senate.”