Politicians in croc-o-brawl
A STATE minister has picked a fight with a Cairns councillor, accusing him of being more concerned with headlines than public safety when it comes to crocodiles.
Environment Minister Steven Miles has taken umbrage with Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds’ criticism of the Palaszczuk government’s crocodile management strategy.
Two weeks ago Cr Olds suggested rangers were taking too long to respond to croc sightings near human habitat with figures showing nearly a third of all problem crocodiles targeted by rangers in Queensland waterways in the past 12 months took more than a week to capture.
In a letter, published in today’s Cairns Post, Minister Miles said for Cr Olds to state a week was too long to remove a problem croc was “not only ignorant, it’s an insult to our highly trained crocodile catchers who do a dangerous job to keep people safe”.
“How do I know Cr Olds is TRADING SHOTS: Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles and Councillor Brett Olds. more concerned with headlines than public safety?” he said. “When I met him at the crocodile roundtable in Cairns last December, I gave him my direct mobile number.
“Since then, he has seen fit to make dozens of public comments but has not once called me with his concerns.”
He said 98 per cent of declared problem crocodile cases had been resolved by his department since 2015.
“We’ve removed a record number of saltwater crocodiles from Queensland waterways since we came to office – 71 removed in 2016-17, 63 in 2015-16 and 54 so far this year,” he said.
“Most crocodiles are wary by nature. It can be days before a problem crocodile is accustomed to having a new trap in its territory for it to enter.
“That’s why croc catchers install temporary crocodile sighting warning signs while the trapping is under way.”
Cr Olds confirmed that the minister had given him his mobile number, but said it was intended for him to pass on to another stakeholder.
“I think he (Mr Miles) is right: I do like crocs, but I don’t like them swimming around my kids,” he said.
“It’s a good thing that he knows who the local councillor is. Obviously we’re getting under his skin. We must be doing something right.”