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August 2008 - Federal Environment Minister
Peter Garrett has banned the Savannah cat
from being brought into Australia finding
it poses an extreme risk to Australia’s
environment and biodiversity.
Mr Garrett used his
powers under the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to
amend the Act’s live import list to change
the definition of domestic cat to rule out
cats with the genes of the African wildcat,
the Serval.
“On all the evidence
that I have seen, the risks associated with
allowing this cross-bred cat into the country
when we already have up to 12 million feral
cats wreaking havoc on native fauna, are
simply too great. That is why I have banned
the import of these cats immediately.
“The scientific assessment
presented to me found that the Savannah
Cat posed an extreme threat to Australia’s
native wildlife and the advice suggests
each generation could retain the more efficient
hunting traits of the wild African Serval.
“My decision follows
over 500 submissions from interest groups
and the general public, petitions calling
on me to take this action with thousands
of signatures as well as consultation with
the states and territories, in addition
to the scientific report.
“The submissions I received
during the public comment period were overwhelming
in their support to stop the importation
of the Savannah cat. Of the 549 submissions
received, 526 supported the proposed amendment.”
Mr Garrett said he would
not hesitate to use his powers under the
EPBC Act to prevent the live import of any
species or breed that poses a significant
risk to the Australian environment or wildlife.
“My role as Federal
Environment Minister is to make decisions
based on the best possible outcome for the
Australian environment. I have an obligation
under the Convention on Biological Diversity
to protect Australia’s biodiversity and
I take that responsibility very seriously.”
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AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
RESPONDS TO SENATE INDIGENOUS ARTS INQUIRY
8 August 2008 - Arts
Minister Peter Garrett has today tabled
the Australian Government’s response to
the 29 broad recommendations outlined in
the Senate Inquiry Report Indigenous Art:
Securing the future.
“The Rudd Government
recognises that a vibrant and sustainable
Indigenous art sector is critical for artists
and their communities. The growing Indigenous
art market makes a significant contribution
to our economy, and Indigenous art practice
is an important driver of cultural understanding.
“The Government has
an important role in helping to address
the concerns raised in this report.
“The Rudd Government
has already committed additional funding
of $7.6 million over four years to the National
Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS)
program to boost support for Aboriginal
Art Centres. Additionally, we have allocated
$1.5 million in the 2008/09 Budget for the
implementation of a resale royalty scheme
which will ensure artists have an ongoing
economic interest in their work.”
Mr Garrett said the
Australian Government’s response also included:
• support for the development
of an industry-wide code of conduct to enhance
the industry’s sustainability and to protect
artists from unscrupulous conduct;
• enhancement of NACIS funding, including
the introduction of three year operational
funding to improve financial certainty;
• a scoping study to consider the implications
and effectiveness of an art centre in Alice
Springs;
• further work to examine the issues around
authenticity and labelling schemes including
looking at the operation of international
schemes as well as current and former schemes
in Australia; and,
• promotion of current programs to assist
the transition of art centres to greater
economic independence.
Mr Garrett has called
on the industry to finalise the development
of a code of conduct as soon as practicable
for it be considered at the Cultural Ministers
Council in October.
“A key recommendation
of the report is the development of an industry
wide code of conduct, which the Government
supports. This code is being developed by
industry, in consultation with the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission, and
I hope to present it to my state and territory
colleagues at Cultural Ministers Council
in October.
“The Government considers
that effective voluntary industry codes
potentially deliver increased protection
to artists and consumers and help reduce
the need for regulatory requirements.”
Mr Garrett said the
Government acknowledged the report’s findings
regarding the need for improvements in industry
infrastructure and would consider these
in a future budget context.
Visit www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/senate_inquiry/
to view the Government response to the Senate
Report and www.arts.gov.au/indig for details
on the National Arts and Crafts Industry
Support program which funds Indigenous art
centres.
