Albanese Government must reject Queensland Shark Control Program expansion
Albanese Government must reject Queensland Shark Control Program expansion | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Albanese Government must reject Queensland Shark Control Program expansion 2025-05-27 The Greens call on the Albanese Government to reject a major expansion of shark nets used in the Queensland Shark Control Program, after the Queensland LNP Government controversially announced plans that would need exemptions from already weak federal environment laws.
Under federal laws the Albanese government has a legal responsibility to protect endangered marine wildlife, including wildlife killed by lethal shark nets and drumlines deployed by the states of Queensland and NSW. Shark nets are currently used in Queensland via a loophole in the EPBC Act, officially known as section 43B, which permits the continuation of activities taking place prior to the introduction of the Act, so long as the activities do not expand or have a significant impact on threatened species.
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: “We should be removing lethal shark nets and drumlines in Queensland, not expanding them. These measures are weapons of mass destruction to precious marine wildlife, and evidence shows they do not make our beaches safe but merely give ocean goers a false sense of security.
“The science behind the LNP’s decision to expand the use of shark nets in Queensland’s Shark Control Program does not stack up. This decision is part of a desperate political culture war manufactured to sow fear in an attempt to give the LNP political advantage. “The Greens call on the federal government to reject any exemption sought for this expanded shark cull program, and use its upcoming commitment to reform Australia's environmental laws to remove existing exemptions to state-controlled lethal shark net programs that risk federally protected species.
Make no mistake, the Greens will be putting this on the table in environment law negotiations. “Governments can help keep ocean-goers safe by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to outdated and ineffective shark nets and lethal drum lines. A 2017 Senate Inquiry into shark risk mitigation recommended the federal government show national leadership on driving this investment, but this has been ignored by respective ministers who are all too happy to palm off this responsibility to the states.
“Subsidising shark shield personal deterrent devices, shark spotter programs, eco-shark barriers, bite proof wetsuits, and increasing public education are amongst many emerging risk mitigation alternatives.” Quotes attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for Queensland: “Nets and drumlines are indiscriminate killers of protected wildlife, and the evidence shows non-lethal measures are more effective at protecting swimmers.
“The Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef shark control program is more than 50 years old and has killed more than 85,000 marine animals including sharks, turtles and dolphins. “Queensland’s shark control program is completely out of date and isn’t in line with community expectations for protecting swimmers without harming marine life. “Modern-day alternatives to shark nets that better protect ocean-users and the environment exist, but clearly the Queensland LNP Government is more concerned with political theatre than it is about public safety.
“The Albanese Government must reject the planned major expansion of shark nets in the Queensland Shark Control Program, remove existing exemptions to state-controlled lethal shark net programs that risk federally protected species, and roll out modern-day alternatives to shark nets across Australia.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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