‘How would you know about crocodiles if you live in Brisbane?': Maverick MP Bob Katter lashes out at Terri Irwin
Maverick Queensland MP Bob Katter has hit back at Terri Irwin after she publicly criticised the Katter's Australian Party (KAP) latest bill to cull crocodiles in the north of the state.
Mrs Irwin described the amended proposal as 'lazy and sloppy' earlier in the week and warned it would 'turn the clock back to the dark and destructive days prior to the 1970s'.
The bill claims Queensland has seen a giant increase in crocodile numbers, which Terri Irwin disputes, as justification for removing and euthanising crocs found in 'populated' waterways, and enabling hunting safaris on Aboriginal-controlled land.
However, on Friday Mr Katter hit back at the animal conservationist, questioning her knowledge of crocodile preservation in Australia.
'Mrs Irwin … said that I'm a dangerous person and it's the only time I've ever agreed with her in my life,' he said in a video posted to Facebook.
'She knows all about crocodiles … well that's rather fascinating for me because she lives in Brisbane and I work with the top crocodile handlers in the world I would argue.
'Versace and the other big fashion houses have huge crocodile farms here.'
Mr Katter went on to explain that the best crocodile handlers in the world have 'always been here in Australia'.
'She knows all about it well …. I'm a bit fascinated by that … how would you know about crocodiles if you live in Brisbane?' he said while laughing.
'Oh that's right she's got them all locked up in a cage in Brisbane I'd forgotten about that.'
But Mrs Irwin has earlier claimed the amended bill – which imagines currently croc-infested waterways being used recreationally – is 'reckless, ill-informed and dangerous on so many levels'.
In a 14-page long submission, Irwin argued a false sense of security may be created by the proposals, which would actually increase crocodile-related deaths.
'The removal of crocodiles, either through trapping or culling, will instead increase the likelihood of crocodile attacks as people believe the lie that once a crocodile is removed from a waterway then there will be no crocodiles,' she wrote.
'Research has consistently shown that when a crocodile dies or is removed, then another crocodile immediately comes in to take over that territory. Because of this reality, the Bill will not eliminate or even greatly reduce the risk of crocodile attacks.'
Irwin also disputed claims that crocodile numbers have dramatically increased, saying there is no Queensland data to confirm that and the bill's cited increase does not account for multiple sightings of the same croc.
'It is the Irwin family and Australia Zoo's belief that individual culling and relocation are not effective ways to manage crocodile/human coexistence; rather, research and educating people are the key,' she said.
'The best course of action is for people in crocodile territory to be 'Croc-wise', reduce risk wherever possible and take sensible steps to minimise human-crocodile interaction.'
KAP MP Shane Knuth spoke about the bill at state parliament last month, stating North Queenslanders are 'angry about losing more of our recreational waterways to the increasing crocodile population'.
'The constant threat of attacks, recent deaths and near-death experiences are dramatically affecting North Queensland's outdoor lifestyle,' he said.
'We never had to worry about the threats of crocodiles in our recreational waterways and beaches until the last two decades.'
Crocodiles are protected in Queensland and remain listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
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2 days ago
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Lidia flips off King Charles in new stunt
Senator Lidia Thorpe has sparked controversy after sharing photos of herself standing outside Buckingham Palace making a rude gesture. The independent senator, who made international headlines after gatecrashing an event during King Charles III's visit to Australia and yelling 'you are not my king', was in London this week to attend a conference. During her trip she donned a 'blak sovereign movement' shirt and was pictured outside the gates of Buckingham Palace holding an Aboriginal flag, making a rude gesture with her middle finger and standing with her hands on her hips. She shared the three images to social media with the caption: 'Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in.' The post sparked division among her followers. On Instagram, the reception was largely positive, with multiple users calling Senator Thorpe 'the only Queen I'll recognise' or 'our Queen'. 'This made my day,' one follower wrote, while another said it was 'great to see you delivering your middle finger for his bday in person!' The King's birthday was celebrated on June 14 in the UK. On Facebook, where comments on the post were blocked, others shared the post with less enthusiastic commentary. 'What a shock she did not get an invite into the palace,' one user wrote. 'What a bloody embarrassment,' another said. While the Senator's actions sparked debate online, they were less disruptive than her shock protest during the King's visit to Australia last year. Senator Thorpe made international headlines after disrupting a speech from King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra on October 21. NewsWire / POOL / Lukas Coch Credit: News Corp Australia The Indigenous MP sparked international outrage after screaming out 'f**k the colony' in the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra shortly after the King had given a speech praising Australia. 'You are not our king. You are not sovereign,' she yelled at the monarch, 'You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. 'Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. 'You destroyed our land. Give us a Treaty. We want a Treaty in this country. You are a genocidalist. This is not your land. This is not your land. You are not my king. You are not our king. F. k the colony, f. k the colony, f. k the colony.' She was evicted by security guards who had been watching her throughout the proceedings, continuing to yell as she was removed from the room. She continued to yell at the King as she was removed from the room by security. NewsWire / David Beach Credit: NewsWire
