Fox Bounty

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:22): My questions are to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the fox bounty. Can the minister confirm that the fox bounty program will be cut as of October this year? Does the minister concede that scrapping the fox bounty will result in either more 1080 use, a potentially fatal poison to other mammals, or more foxes? Why is the Malinauskas government not continuing to fund this important feral animal control program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:22): I thank the honourable member for her question. Decisions around the continuation or otherwise of particular bounties are always made with reference to the current situation. I am happy to be able to come back to the chamber if there is some additional information. I think most of us are concerned about the destructive nature of foxes. There is destruction both in terms of farmed animals and in terms of the environment. That is a particularly difficult impact that we see. I am happy to get some more advice from the department and bring back an answer to the chamber.