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Sad Day For Our Heritage: IngramIndependent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has described the passing of State Government legislation that bans cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park as "a sad day for our heritage". By Craig Ingram - 17th June 2005 - Back to News Speaking against the Bill in Parliament this week, Mr Ingram paid tribute to the men and women of the High Country who livelihoods will be affected.
"It is a very sad day for hardworking families and individuals in my electorate and for their traditional way of life, which has endured and is well ingrained within the culture and heritage of my region," Mr Ingram told Parliament.
"The argument that National Parks will be accessible into the future is one that people in my electorate regard with a lot of scepticism and disappointment.
"This decision is in my view a political decision - it is not necessarily an environmental one.
"Science has been used as a weapon against the cattlemen right throughout this debate, and the post-fire use of science has been shameful.
"The Alpine National Park is a great and very large park, but it has experienced significant human impact through mining, grazing, four-wheel-driving and alpine resorts. It is a changed environment. This issue is about management.
"If you read about the Alpine National Park in the State of the Parks 2000 report, you will see that it is one of the most weed infested parks and that is known for its high level of pest plants."
Mr Ingram said one of the most hypocritical aspects has been the State Government’s double standard on heavy, hard-hoofed animals.
"There are more brumbies and samba deer in the Alpine National Park than cattle, and they are there all year round," he said.
"If heavy, hard-hoofed animals are a threat to the Alpine National Park, the government needs to remove them all – not just take the easy option and kick the cattle out.
"There is a touch of Kennett arrogance about ramming this legislation through both houses of Parliament in the one sitting week.
"I would like to condemn this action on behalf of the hardworking individuals and families from alpine areas across my electorate, many of whom are good friends," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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