National Threatened Species Day

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:44): I seek leave to make—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I want to hear the Hon. Ms Franks, please. Order!

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question on the topic of threatened species to the Attorney as the minister representing the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Today is National Threatened Species Day, a day where we shine a spotlight on all native Australian animal and plant species that are under threat of extinction. At a state level here in South Australia, we have more than a thousand species listed as threatened under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Our terrestrial fauna species have been declining in abundance and distribution and 12 per cent of native animal species are considered threatened with extinction. I note that animals such as fish, invertebrates or even fungi are not actually able to be listed as threatened under our legislation, so in fact the numbers are far greater. My questions to the minister are:

1. What actions are required to be taken under the legislation to help protect the species once it's listed as threatened?

2. How is the threatened species listed in South Australia monitored and managed?

3. Does the minister believe the provisions are currently adequate?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her question. As the member pointed out, it is Threatened Species Day today. I note one thing that has come to my attention on Threatened Species Day is that there has just been the release of I think 40 warru (wallaby) into the Everard Ranges in the APY lands where they haven't been seen for some 60 years—a very successful program of breeding a species that hasn't been seen in parts of the APY lands for years and years. It has been great timing on Threatened Species Day with that program and I congratulate those involved.

In terms of the questions the member has asked, I will be very happy to take them to the Minister for Environment in another place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.