9 October
2006 - Predators, prey and threatened species
will all be on display when Parliament resumes
in Canberra today.
Amazing wildlife will be unveiled
by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, when
he launches the ANZANG Nature and Landscape Photographer
of the Year exhibition.
"It showcases stunning
photographs of animals, birds, flowers and landscapes
from Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New
Guinea," Mr Hunt said.
"The countries were once
part of the great southern continent, Gondwana.
They all possess distinctive flora and fauna which
have evolved through long periods of isolation.
"The exhibition attracted
over 1000 entries, making this, I am told, the
largest nature photographic competition in Australasia.
"The photographs include
a predator from Queensland, a snake from Western
Australia and a New South Wales species eating
one of its own."
The exhibition features winners
and runners-up from the second ANZANG Nature and
Landscape Photographer of the Year competition,
including the winning entry by Kitchner Bain of
Western Australia of a pelican taking flight.
Mr Hunt said the Australian
Government has been pleased to support the exhibition
with a $5,000 Environment Education Grant.
"This exhibition is a reminder
of Australia's commitment to the environment beyond
its own shores," he said. "The Regional
Natural Heritage Programme is helping to conserve
biodiversity hotspots in South-East Asia and the
Pacific".
"Priority areas include
Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam,
the Philippines and Pacific Island countries.
The four-year, $10 million programme, announced
by the Prime Minister in February 2004, has so
far funded 23 projects totalling over $6.1 million
that provide practical, on-ground activities to
conserve biodiversity within these hotspot regions."
John Deller (Mr Hunt's office)
