Koala management
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:07): (353) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Environment. The koalas around Portland are dying. Starvation, road strike, no habitable trees and aluminium production that poisons the environment are just some of the factors affecting the struggling population. Now there are even reports of them walking into the ocean towards ships that carry their logged habitat and drowning. What is this government going to do to protect koalas in south-west Victoria?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:08): I thank Ms Purcell for her question in relation to koalas around the Portland area. This is not a new topic, and as a member for Western Victoria I am very familiar with issues and incidents that have arisen in terms of koalas and their habitat. I will refer this matter to the Minister for Environment. I am sure that he will be able to provide written confirmation of the activities that the government has undertaken.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:08): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. The koala management strategy was put into place in May 2023 in this state, and rescuers and locals on the ground are telling me that it is having no impact in this situation, so my question is: how much of the $3.3 million allocated in the 2022–23 state budget has been spent on revegetation of koala habitat in south-west Victoria?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:09): Again I thank Ms Purcell for her question, and that will be referred to Minister Dimopoulos.