The House Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will hold the first of two public hearings tomorrow (13 February, 2019) for its inquiry into controlling the spread of cane toads.
In my capacity as acting chair of the committee, I will make sure all voices are heard on the management of this invasive species so we can halt its march further south.
From their introduction in 1935 to Queensland sugar cane fields to control beetles, the toads now inhabit areas from central Queensland to northern NSW and west to the Kimberley in northern Western Australia.
They have spread outside main population centres by hitch-hiking in vehicles. In 2009, cane toads were found at Taren Point in southern Sydney and last year two were found in Canberra. Their secretions are toxic to native animals, cats and dogs.
The committee will convene two roundtable-style sessions involving scientists and groups involved in controlling cane toads on the ground.
The inquiry is focused on how cane toads can be controlled and additional support that could be provided by Government.
A further public hearing is planned for next Wednesday, 20 February.
Anyone interested in cane toads can visit the inquiry website www.aph.gov.au/canetoad and listen to tomorrow’s public hearing between 10am and 11.30am at https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament.
TUESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY, 2019