Beattie accused of 'kneejerk reaction' on dingo culling

BY JIM McILROY

BRISBANE — John Jones, spokesperson for the Dalungalee Aboriginal traditional owners of Fraser Island, accused Queensland Labor Premier Peter Beattie of a "kneejerk reaction", after the state government ordered the immediate culling of 30 dingoes following the mauling death of a young boy on April 30.

Speaking on May 4, after the failure of a Federal Court challenge to the culling, Jones described the premier's action as "reminiscent of the techniques of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen regime".

Jones had earlier accused the state Labor government of using "standover tactics" by instigating the cull without the consent of traditional owners.

The Dalungalee people only supported the killing of the two dingoes believed responsible for the death of Clinton Gage, said Jones. Gage was mauled near the Warby Point camping ground on the popular, World Heritage-listed sand island.

One parks and wildlife service ranger commented, "It's a terrible thing to have to put down animals that are not causing problems. It's a political cull. The cull isn't going to solve the problem. It's the ongoing management that will fix it."

According to Wilderness Society spokesperson Lyndon Schneiders, "The dingo problem is part of a bigger problem regarding the management of Fraser Island. The premier should demonstrate real leadership and convene an urgent meeting of the federal-state body that is responsible for the protection of Fraser Island and convene a round table of experts, conservation groups, locals, traditional owners and tourist operators to determine how to develop something more than a Band-Aid approach."

From GLW issue 448