26/05/2005 - The Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, has agreed to initiate an emergency
listing assessment of the Alpine National
Park under the National Heritage Act.
Senator Campbell today met representatives
of the Mountain Cattlemen's Association of
Victoria to discuss the Victorian Government's
decision to unilaterally end 170 years of
grazing in the Victorian high country.
"In light of the decision by the Bracks
Labor Government to tear up the grazing licences
held by these Australian families for six
generations, I will be asking my department
to provide an assessment on the emergency
listing within 10 days," Senator Campbell
said.
"I intend to hold the Victorian Government
accountable for the protection of this unique
part of our Australian heritage."
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999, the Minister must make
a decision on emergency listing within 10
working days.
"The Man from Snowy River is deep in
the Australian psyche. This legend is part
of Australia's heritage that simply cannot
be lost. It should be noted that these 'men
from Snowy River' work just 7900 cattle over
an enormous high country area of 340,000 hectares
- the equivalent of just one animal every
23 MCGs.
"We need an outcome that fully protects
both the natural and cultural heritage values
of the park," Senator Campbell said.
