Monday, 12th November 2018
The WA Greens have congratulated the Labor Government for abandoning the planned reclassification of wild dingoes as ‘non-native fauna’ but suggested they need to go further.
Greens Spokesperson for the environment Robin Chapple, whose initial questioning in parliament revealed the significant change in Dingo protection status earlier this year, described the announcement as a massive sigh of relief.
“I’m extremely relieved to find out the Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has overturned the initial decision to classify wild dingoes in the same category as wild dogs,” Mr Chapple said.
“But let’s not forget that before their reclassification, dingoes had patchy protection across the state.
“Today’s announcement that dingoes won’t be treated as ‘non-native fauna’ leads to the assumption that Minister Dawson and the Government see the value in dingoes.
“If they see the value of Western Australian Dingoes, why not go a step further and grant them even more protection than before.
“The community response to the reclassification earlier this year taught us that the Western Australians deeply care about dingoes and wish to see them thrive.
“Dingoes are an iconic native species and have significant cultural importance to the many indigenous people of Western Australia and Australia more broadly.
“So why not protect them?”
Media contact: Connor Slight – 0422 299 525
