Snakes

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (15:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation a question about snakes.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: I have been contacted by a number of people involved in the snake catching and relocation business who are frustrated over what they see as unnecessary and cumbersome bureaucratic hurdles that get in the way of them providing a service to South Australians, including catching and removing venomous snakes from people's homes.

At the heart of the problem is the environment department's venomous snakes policies (VSPs), which date back to 1988 and which, together with related standard operating procedures, regulate the permit system for catching or keeping venomous snakes. One of the problems with the current system is a requirement for a person to keep a venomous snake, such as a red-bellied black snake, for 12 months before being licensed as a snake catcher.

Industry people tell me that such a requirement makes no sense, as many people who want to become involved in the industry do not necessarily want to keep venomous snakes in their own home and the 12-month requirement is a disincentive for people to get involved. I understand that changes to the venomous snakes policies were agreed between the department and industry representatives back in February this year but have yet to be approved or adopted by the minister. I understand the new policy is more flexible and allows for more specific training, including on-the-job training with experienced snake catchers, as a prerequisite to obtaining a permit. My questions are:

1. When will the new venomous snakes policies and associated standard operating procedures be adopted?

2. Can the minister assure us that the new policies will be in place before warmer weather arrives and snakes start to become more active in the environment?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:32): I am aware that some stakeholders in the snake catching industry would like to see a lessening of regulation around what is required in terms of becoming accredited to deal with snakes, particularly venomous snakes. That is not necessarily a good thing. The department has been working with the stakeholders about the policy. I do not believe it is correct (but I will check) that there is actually an agreed policy. I think that are still outstanding matters that need to be addressed and that is why it has not been brought to me to finalise as yet.

Those matters need to be negotiated. I understand that some stakeholders believe that they have that agreement, but that is not the advice that I have had from the department. Until that time, I will not be lessening any regulations around the ability of a person to become accredited to handle particularly venomous snakes. I want to make sure that anyone who is accredited to do so has had the appropriate training and does meet the requirements for community safety.