The Hon. BOB NANVA (20:23): I move:

(1)That this House notes:

(a)that Wednesday 5 June 2024 is World Environment Day;

(b)the importance of protecting endangered native species in the Kosciuszko National Park;

(c)that native species that can't be found anywhere else in the world like the broad-toothed rat and the southern corroboree frog are on the brink of extinction due to the impact of horses on the park; and

(d)that last week, the broad-toothed rat was uplisted in New South Wales, showing it is more endangered than previously thought.

(2)That this House supports the actions of the Government on implementing the NSW Horse Management Plan to reduce the number of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park to the legislated maximum of 3,000.

Fittingly, on World Environment Day, I speak to the preservation of Australia's native fauna in the Kosciuszko National Park. It is worth remembering the original mission of the United Nations General Assembly in designating 5 June as World Environment Day: that governments and organisations "undertake on that day every year worldwide activities reaffirming their concern for the preservation and enhancement of the environment, with a view to deepening environmental awareness". Clearly we have made significant progress since that declaration was made 52 years ago. However, if key biodiversity indicators are anything to go by—species survival, habitat capacity and the impact of invasive species—there remains a picture of decline in New South Wales. Around half of the more than 1,000 listed threatened species are expected to become extinct within 100 years in New South Wales. That is not a picture of incremental improvement but of slow decline.

That brings me to Kosciuszko National Park, one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world and home to around 32 species of plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, many of which are under enormous pressure to survive because governments have not historically used the levers at their disposal to give them their best chance to live. One such species, the broad-toothed rat, was uplisted in New South Wales last week because the ecological impacts of large horse populations at Kosciuszko have made them more endangered than previously thought.

As a member of the Animal Welfare Committee's inquiry into the aerial culling of brumbies, I have listened to and read different perspectives with respect to the management of wild horses at Kosciuszko. I have also witnessed firsthand, from the air and on the ground, the impact that horses have had and are having at that park. Damage to soil, water, vegetation, riverbeds and valleys, as well as the resulting impacts on the habitats of endangered species, are all too apparent and potentially irreversible, particularly if horse management plans at Kosciuszko fail to consistently remove horses at the rate required to substantively reduce the population.

That is why the Government's implementation of the New South Wales Horse Management Plan to reduce the number of wild horses to the legislated maximum of 3,000 is so critical. It is a plan which seeks to strike a balance between protecting the ecology of the park and preserving its colonial heritage values by maintaining a wild horse population. Striking that balance is critical not just for the environmental, ecological and cultural reasons that I have mentioned, but out of concern for the welfare of the horses themselves. The former Government's own scientific advisory panel stated:

Inadequately managed wild horse populations with high densities over great areas over a longer period of time are likely to result in a high proportion of horses with poor welfare as their numbers exceed available food and horses are pushed out into woodland areas of the park where food availability is limited.

As well as seeing the degradation of Kosciuszko firsthand, I have also had the benefit of meeting and hearing from many passionate brumby advocates. Many of them are people of good faith, motivated by an affinity for horses, a love for animals more broadly, and a reverence for the status of brumbies in our national consciousness. Their priorities are legitimate and should not be diminished. However, my view differs with respect to the urgency with which we need to act to meet the legislated target of a sustainable horse population, and the manner by which we can ever hope to do so before we can move to maintaining populations through non-lethal means. Importantly, the Government's implementation of the wild horse management plan is not an exercise in eradication. Horses will continue to be a part of the State's heritage and a presence in the park. But it is an exercise in giving other species, like the broad-toothed rat and corroboree frog, much more of a fighting chance.

The Hon. WES FANG (20:27): I lead for the Opposition and, at the outset, I say that the motion is clearly set to divide people. It is politics writ large by the Opposition. But I indicate that the Opposition will not oppose the motion. It will not oppose it for a number of reasons. The first is that it is actually the Opposition's plan. The Wild Horse Management Plan is one that was moved in this House by what is now the Opposition. We on this side support the idea of brumbies remaining in the park and the 3,000 number put in the legislation was one that we nominated. We are more than happy to support the motion. The motion gives me the opportunity to talk in this place about the way that the management is occurring.

When members of this House were debating that legislation, the current Leader of the Government said, "We will not introduce aerial culling." That is recorded in Hansard. Members can say what they want about the motion, but the mover of the motion, the Hon. Bob Nanva, was not a member of the House when the Hon. Penny Sharpe said that Labor would not introduce aerial culling. And yet the first thing she did as Minister was introduce aerial culling. That is a stain on her as a Minister and on her management because she lied to and misled this House about how she would manage those brumbies, and her comment was recorded in Hansard. The Opposition will support the motion but every day that the Minister talks about reducing brumby numbers to the legislated target, I will remind her that she is not doing so in a humane way. She has shut down rehoming and brought back aerial culling, which she told this House she would not do, to manage these iconic Australian horses. The Labor Party absolutely loves rats. Maybe they should look to protect a few more here.

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (20:31): Today is World Environment Day, which encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many governments, non‑government organisations and businesses. It is a platform to raise awareness on environmental issues like marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development and wildlife crime. It is only right that we join more than 143 other countries to advocate for environmental issues. The issues are global, but we have our own unique set of environmental problems here in New South Wales, including the importance of protecting endangered native species in Kosciuszko National Park. I call the attention of the House to the native species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world like the broad-toothed rat and the southern corroboree frog, which are on the brink of extinction due to the impact of horses on the park.

The Hon. Penny Sharpe: And the Guthega skink.

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD: And one of those too. It is important to note that just last week the broad‑toothed rat was uplisted in New South Wales, showing it is more endangered than previously thought. The problems in the park are largely caused by the high number of brumbies. I support the New South Wales horse management plan that was brought in by the former Coalition Government in 2021 to reduce the wild horse population to 3,000 by 2027. A media release from the shadow environment Minister states:

The NSW Liberals will provide cautious support for the Minns Government's decision to allow aerial shooting as an additional option for the control of wild horses in the Kosciuszko National Park.

She further went on to say:

Overwhelmingly, the expert advice has said to meet that target aerial shooting is required alongside existing methods such as trapping and rehoming, and ground shooting.

Unfortunately, reproductive control is not viable for the wild horse population in its current numbers and distribution in the park.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Hon. Wes Fang is close to being called to order.

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD: Recently I visited the park and saw the damage caused by the horses. It was immediately obvious. The rivers and creeks have significant damage where the horses cross. Without getting too technical, brumbies compete with native animals for natural resources. They clearly contribute to habitat destruction, and degradation of vegetation and soil stability. They continue to threaten the fragile ecosystems of the alpine regions. I saw plenty of brumbies, but I did not see any native species. That is not to say that they are not there, but they are probably nocturnal and they are nowhere near as abundant as they should be. If I were a herbivore I would say it is slim pickings for anything green on the long paddocks.

The Hon. Wes Fang: Who wrote this?

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD: I did. Plants and bushes were few and far between because they had been munched away. [Time expired.]

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Hon. Wes Fang will be called to order if he continues to interrupt.

Ms SUE HIGGINSON (20:34): On behalf of The Greens I recognise the critical importance of environmental protection and regeneration works, especially within the protected area network. When the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act was passed in 2018—a brainchild of the former National Party Deputy Premier—it was roundly condemned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Capital Territory Government, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and members of the New South Wales Government's expert technical committee. In his resignation letter from the Government's Threatened Species Scientific Committee, Professor of Ecology David Watson said:

Science is not a special interest group. Scientists don't lobby for favours, nor profit from political decisions. We are ambassadors for knowledge, the conscience of the natural world. The wilful disregard that you and your government colleagues have for science diminishes our collective future, relegating our precious national parks and priceless environment to a political play thing.

That is what has allowed what is occurring in Kosciuszko National Park. Thanks to the New South Wales Nationals and an apathetic Liberal Party, one of the greatest natural treasures in this State has been abused by an anti-science special interest group. It has diminished us all and had catastrophic consequences for threatened and unique alpine species like the broad-toothed rat. The rapid reduction in horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park since aerial shooting recommenced is incredibly sad for me, as a person who loves horses and lives alongside them, including rehomed horses from our national park. Of the 8,505 horses removed since November 2021, 65 per cent have been removed in the past seven months.

The retention of invasive horses in one-third of Kosciuszko is deeply problematic. It locks in damage to the Byadbo and Pilot wilderness areas in the south and creates an ongoing horse population within and adjacent to the Jagungal Wilderness Area. Wetlands such as the vast Currango peat wetlands in the north and critical habitat of threatened species such as the northern corroboree frog, stocky galaxias and the lovable broad-toothed mouse will suffer as the damaging impacts of hard hooves are locked in for the plan's duration and while ever the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act is in place. I support the motion of the Government and commend it for finally trying to do the right thing by our natural environment, by the cultural heritage of the area and by all of us who feel a deep connection to the living planet.

Ms ABIGAIL BOYD (20:37): When I joined The Greens over a decade ago I had one pressing concern on my mind: climate. I could no longer sit back and watch as the major parties squabbled over how slowly they would act on catastrophic climate change. I joined the only political party with principles, integrity and a genuine commitment to change this world for the better and to ensure the planet is liveable for people and animals. The role of The Greens and other Independents that are determined to see meaningful action on climate was recognised today by the Knitting Nannas. We were each given a knitted scarf that contained a graph representing temperature changes in the years 1919 to 2021, showing the alarming warming of our planet at a glance.

Labor continues to repeat the mistakes of Coalition governments of the past, both here and federally, by kowtowing to the fossil fuel lobby and all of the other vested interests that are determined to put their desire for profits above our very existence. The Greens represent the last thing standing between the major parties and the utter annihilation of life on this planet. And so it is that I stand in this place, as a Greens MP and as our spokesperson for animal welfare, unable to support the motion moved by NSW Labor today.

On World Environment Day—of all days—the Labor Government is seeking to pat itself on the back for doing nothing to stop the extinction of the species of this Earth. While ripping up forests, approving coal and gas projects, extending the life of coal-fired power stations—fast-tracking us towards an unliveable planet—Government members are asking us to join them in congratulating their decision to shoot thousands of other animals in the flimsy hope that perhaps just some of that mass shooting will save some species in one tiny part of our State. What a joke! Are we supposed to overlook the other actions the Minns Government is taking that are increasing the chances of species extinction across the State?

The rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere from burning fossil fuels poses a clear and scientifically demonstrated threat to global biodiversity. There is a concept in environmental science called the extinction cost of carbon. It is a way to measure or estimate the impact of carbon emissions on biodiversity loss. It is an imprecise science but, by credible estimates, a reduction of 7.8 megatonnes of carbon is required to prevent the extinction of one species. Labor's shameful and reckless decision to extend the life of the Eraring Power Station by at least a further two years will contribute 40 megatonnes—that is approximately five further species going extinct under Labor's watch. Are we to congratulate you on that too?

Labor is also supporting the continued logging in our precious native forests. This shockingly reckless drive to clear‑fell our native forest estate is pushing precious forest-dependent native species like koalas, greater and yellow-bellied gliders, glossy black cockatoos, ancient songbirds, sooty owls, masked owls, powerful owls, quolls and platypuses closer to extinction every day. Native forest logging is driving half of all threatened species in New South Wales towards extinction but the NSW Labor Party is asking for a round of applause and our support and a tick of approval—today of all days—on its environmental credentials. I refuse. The Government is not doing enough. In fact, it is doing worse than that: It is making things worse.

The Hon. EMILY SUVAAL (20:41): I speak in support of the motion on World Environmental Day. I update the House about some activity that is going on close to home for me in Werakata National Park. The Government is doing good work there. I give a shout-out to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has commenced aerial culling of deer. The aerial culling of deer is an important program. If there is one thing you do not want to come across in the dead of night heading home from work, it is a deer on the highway. Aside from that, the impact that feral deer has on our biosecurity, on our threatened species and on important local industries like our vineyards in the Hunter cannot be understated.

Another important program is the aerial culling of brumbies in Kosciuszko, a crucial way to protect endangered species in the park. This is in the context of the past track record of the Opposition in terms of what it managed to achieve in the Kosciuszko National Park, which was to introduce the massive high voltage powerlines. It is concerning news that last week the broad-toothed rat was uplisted; it shows that it is more endangered than previously thought. I am deeply concerned at this news. It is great news that the Minister has taken measures to get wild horses under control in Kosciuszko National Park by introducing the culling measures.

I also give a big shout-out to the staff that undertake this shooting. They are skilled individuals as it is an extremely technical thing to do. I commend them for their work, along with all of those workers in Kosciuszko National Park who have been exposed to some horrendous behaviour of late just for going about doing their job. I thank them for the undertaking that important work in protecting that national park and our endangered species in New South Wales and for continuing to undertake that work at such a difficult time. The House supports the actions of the Government in implementing the wild horse management plan. I look forward to seeing continuing progress in that space. The importance of aerial culling in the State is something that the Minister for Agriculture also knows the merits of very well.

The Hon. Tara Moriarty: Including the feral pigs.

The Hon. EMILY SUVAAL: Including the feral pigs—I acknowledge that interjection. On World Environmental Day, I finish by echoing my thanks to our wonderful public sector staff and the work that they do for the environment.

The Hon. SARAH MITCHELL (20:44): I make a brief contribution to the motion, which, as the Hon. Wes Fang indicated, the Opposition will not oppose. I will speak to a couple of the points. The first is the last point of the motion in relation to the horse management plan in Kosciuszko. It was eloquently detailed by my colleague the Hon. Wes Fang in relation to our concern, not about not meeting the targets—as he said, these were part of the plans that were put in place by our Government—but about the significant change in the position of the Labor Party from what it said before the election as to how it would manage these issues and, as he said, to not have aerial culling, to now, all of a sudden, seeing that happen. The footage of what happens to some of those horses is concerning. The distressing way in which they are killed is something that everybody should be concerned about. The Hon. Wes Fang is bang on to raise these issues.

Sometimes the National Party unfairly gets called out by people who do not believe that it supports or protects the environment. But I feel, particularly on World Environment Day, that it is important to make the point that farmers—many of whom are Nationals members and supporters—are, I would argue, some of the best environmentalists in the world. On World Environment Day it is important to acknowledge the way farming practices have evolved over the years—the conservation, using science and technology, to make sure that the land is well cared for, well utilised and well protected by our farmers. So I give a shout-out to all our farmers, many of whom are also doing incredible work in conservation, involved in local land care. There are a lot of great things that happen in regional communities when it comes to protecting our environment. As I said, it is important that we acknowledge that today. The last point is about the broad-toothed rat. I did call the mover of the motion the patron saint of the broad-toothed rat.

The Hon. Bob Nanva: I am very proud of that.

The Hon. SARAH MITCHELL: I acknowledge that interjection. And the name is not from when the Hon. Bob Nanva was in Sussex Street but from now. As we were chatting about before, I think one thing that we should also do—and I am not going to move an amendment—is find a way to make the broad-toothed rat a little more appealing to the broader community. The reason I say that is I note this motion also talks about the corroboree frog. All day I have had this jingle in the head about the corroboree frog, and I could not think of where I knew it. And then I remember the Wiggles. They have a song about the corroboree frog. I heard it with my children, so that is why I could hear in my head the musical tone of the corroboree frog. Maybe we need the Wiggles to do a song about the broad-toothed rat. It might help it have a glow-up. So if any member of the Field family is watching, they might want to have a go at giving the broad-toothed rat—

The Hon. Wes Fang: Sam was the yellow Wiggle.

The Hon. SARAH MITCHELL: I acknowledge that interjection. Maybe Sam can do something. But in all seriousness, it is important that we acknowledge World Environment Day. Obviously we do not want to see the extinction of any animals. As I said, the Opposition will not be opposing the motion.

The Hon. EMMA HURST (20:47): I oppose the motion. I find it depressing that the only thing the New South Wales Government wants to talk about for World Environment Day is how proud it is to be mass killing horses. We are in the midst of a climate crisis that threatens our natural environment and the life of every human and animal on this planet for generations to come. For World Environment Day, why are we not talking about the impacts of climate change and the worsening floods and fire seasons affecting the State? Why are we not talking about land clearing and overdevelopment? Why are we not talking about native forest logging?

Why are we not talking about the fact that animal agribusiness is one of the leading causes of climate change and environmental destruction? I will tell you why. Because that requires a government to take on those powerful and wealthy industries that are destroying the environment. It requires a government to bring in strong legislation to outlaw industries destroying the planet for future generations. We are simply not seeing those actions from either of the major parties. Let us be completely honest: It is because it is cheaper to blame animals and it is politically easier, because all it does is upset local communities and animal protection groups who do not have the resources and the power of lobby groups that environmentally harmful industries have.

Blaming horses gives the impression that some action is being taken to protect the environment, while the real threats to our environment continue to be mostly ignored. The motion highlights that the broad-toothed rat has been uplisted to an endangered species, and that is a tragedy. It is just one of far too many animals being put at risk as part of the State's extinction crisis. The real threats to the broad-toothed rat are climate change and fire damage to their habitat. The southern corroboree frog is primarily threatened due to deadly chytrid fungus. Why are we not talking about that? Can we please take real action in this place to protect these animals instead of playing politics?

This is far too important to get wrong, and the Government's focus and blame on one species is wrong. It is the promotion of animal cruelty simply to avoid doing the real work. Future generations will suffer the consequences of this blatant attempt to avoid real climate action. It is with that in mind that I move the following amendment. I move:

That the question be amended as follows:

(1)In paragraph (1) (c) omit "due to the impact of the horses on the park".

(2)Omit paragraph (2) and insert instead:

(2)That this House calls on the Government to take real action to protect the environment by ending native forest logging, taking bold climate action and stopping overdevelopment where it is affecting native animals and the environment.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage) (20:50): It has been a very interesting debate. It has been good to see the National Party finally stand up for its own plan and support the action that the Government is taking to reduce the number of horses. It was less good to see the Hon. Wes Fang spending the entire time interjecting on one of his Liberal colleagues who was trying to make a speech in support of the plan for which she has done the work and been very supportive. Tonight there has been what I believe is a really big moment in where the New South Wales Greens are at when it comes to dealing with invasive species. The idea that The Greens would not support the reduction of invasive species in our only alpine park is a major departure from where they have been in the past in their so-called care for nature and their support for dealing with invasive species.

This is a massive change tonight. It is profoundly disappointing. I hope that people in the environmental movement and others who have spent their entire lives fighting to protect Kosciuszko National Park and other national parks now know that The Greens are not necessarily up for supporting those efforts. It is also disappointing to see the characterisation of this motion as some sort of congratulations. That is not what this motion is about. It is about recognising that our alpine park is under threat. Twelve native species are on the brink of extinction for a range of reasons. The point is that we are taking it seriously.

Ms Sue Higginson: Point of order—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Clerk will stop the clock.

Ms Sue Higginson: The Hon. Wes Fang is interjecting across the table and being unparliamentary.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): I did not hear the interjections; however, I  remind the Hon. Wes Fang that he has been warned that he may be called to order. Should that behaviour continue, he will be.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: The Hon. Wes Fang has been pulled kicking and screaming. At least he has got the Coalition together voting the same way, which is not what happened last time we dealt with one of these matters. Again, invasive species are one of the most significant and destructive things in our environment.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): I call the Hon. Wes Fang to order for the first time.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Invasive species impact every piece of land and every national park. The fact that The Greens have walked away from dealing with invasive species tonight is extremely disappointing.

The Hon. Wes Fang: You've driven that.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: It is also disappointing that the Hon. Wes Fang cannot stop interrupting, as he did to his own member.

The Hon. Wes Fang: That's the pot calling the kettle black.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: I'm not scared of you, mate.

The Hon. Wes Fang: I'm not scared of you either.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Well, stop talking.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Clerk will stop the clock. I call the Hon. Wes Fang to order for the second time.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: It is World Environment Day. We have one of the most beautiful alpine national park in this State. It is bigger than Bali. It deserves the precious attention and care and conservation that we give to every single national park. This bloke over here, the Hon. Wes Fang, might think that it is actually—

The Hon. Wes Fang: Point of order—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Clerk will stop the clock.

The Hon. Wes Fang: When I referred to the Minister I called her the Minister or the Hon. Penny Sharpe. I have a title and I ask the Minister to use it.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): This is an appropriate time to remind members to refer to each other by their correct titles at all times, and that includes the Hon. Wes Fang.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Kosciuszko National Park is finally starting to see some restoration as the result of the very good work of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff, who are not only dealing with horses but also other invasive species. I would have thought that members would be able to support this motion and I really hope that they do.

The Hon. BOB NANVA (20:54): In reply: I thank all honourable members for their contributions this evening. Much has been made of the Minister's approach before and after the election of the Minns Government. It is very important to be mindful of context in this matter. Upon the election of the Minns Government, when this Minister assumed the portfolio, the former Government's own scientific advisory panel noted that past horse management plans had failed to remove horses at the rate required to reduce the population in light of the 17 per cent breeding rate at Kosciuszko National Park. That put the estimated population at around 18,000 horses.

Literature, advice and evidence has consistently shown that, to bring the horse population down to sustainable and suitable levels, broadscale population control is a choice of aerial culling or poison baiting. The Australian Veterinary Association has given evidence to that effect. Countless amounts of literature confirms that. As a result of successive years of failing to meet the legislated target, the hierarchy of what is least to most humane for broadscale population control requires that choice. I think, if the Minister had the choice of nonlethal control measures, that is what she would choose. But it is not the choice available to her.

The Hon. Mark Buttigieg: Point of order: You have made a couple of rulings on the Hon. Wes Fang's constant interjections. He is now flouting your ruling and continues to snipe and interject while the honourable member makes his speech. I ask you to either call him to order or kick him out.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): I remind the Hon. Wes Fang that he is on two calls to order.

The Hon. BOB NANVA: I acknowledge that there are still reservations about aerial culling. These concerns are not driven in the main by political opportunism or ill intent, because there is a genuine desire for animal welfare priorities and outcomes. But, where broadscale control measures are required, there are only a number of options available. I suspect the Minister would not choose lethal control measures if there was another available option.

In making concluding comments on this motion, it would be remiss of me not to note the many public sector employees in agencies, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, whose passion and commitment to our environment is inspiring. I record my thanks to them for ensuring that our national parks, including Kosciuszko National Park, remain places of wonder for generations to come.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The Hon. Bob Nanva has moved a motion, to which the Hon. Emma Hurst has moved an amendment. The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Amendment negatived.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine): The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.