Queensland Government not only culling sharks but sanctioning animal cruelty to federally protected marine wildlife
Queensland Government not only culling sharks but sanctioning animal cruelty to federally protected marine wildlife | 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 Queensland Government not only culling sharks but sanctioning animal cruelty to federally protected marine wildlife 2025-09-18 The Greens call on the Albanese government to remove existing exemptions to state-controlled shark cull programs that threaten federally protected marine wildlife*.
The call comes after a mother humpback whale and calf were tragically entangled overnight in a net deployed as part of Queensland’s shark cull program. Distressing footage shows the whales heavily entangled in a net they had dragged approximately 100km from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay – the world's first Whale Heritage Site. The horrific incident comes as the Queensland LNP Government plans a major expansion of shark nets used in its shark cull program.
Quotes attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: “This is government-sanctioned animal cruelty. Even though the whales are now freed, the trauma from this horrific ordeal threatens their survival. “Shark nets are fisheries devices that are untargeted weapons of mass destruction to precious marine wildlife, and evidence shows they don’t make our beaches safe and can even attract sharks to beaches.
“This cruelty has gone on too long. The Greens call on the federal government to use its upcoming commitment to reform Australia's environmental laws to remove existing exemptions to state-controlled shark cull programs that risk federally protected species.” Quotes attributable to Queensland Greens MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman: “Not only is the LNP Government bankrolling a huge shark cull in Queensland waters, but they’re spending millions of taxpayer dollars on these traps for whales and other precious marine life.
“For years, both major parties have pursued a shark control program in Queensland that’s driven by blind ideology and politics, not evidence. Why are we persisting with these outdated nets and drumlines that do more to harm marine life than they do to protect swimmers? “The LNP needs to listen to the experts, end the politically-motivated expansion of Queensland’s shark cull, and replace nets with evidence-based technologies.
At the very least, nets should be removed during whale migration season.” * Humpback whales are federally protected under the EPBC Act. Shark nets are currently used in Queensland via a loophole in the EPBC Act, officially known as section 43B. 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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