The Katter’s Australian Party plan for crocodile hunting safaris and egg collection initiatives, mooted in the wake of two more incidents involving the reptiles in Far North Queensland, received a boost last week from federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg.

On a visit to the north, Mr Frydenberg heard firsthand from locals concerned about recent crocodile attacks.

“In my book, human life comes first and crocodiles second,” he said.

“Although listed as a migratory species under the EPBC Act, there is the authority for state governments to cull crocodiles that pose a risk to public safety.

“Such action, properly considered and carried out, would have my full support.”

In one incident, spearfisherman Warren Hughes disappeared after diving from his dinghy in waters north of Innisfail, and his body was recovered with injuries consistent with mauling by a large crocodile.

In a separate, pre-dawn incident, 18-year-old Lee de Paauw was mauled after acting on a dare to swim at night in the croc-infested Johnstone River.



Mr Frydenberg’s comments were music to the ears of KAP state politicians Rob Katter and Shane Knuth, who have been drafting legislation, expected to be introduced before the end of May, to introduce culling, safari hunting, crocodile removal, and egg collection initiatives.

Indigenous communities would have the opportunity to run hunting tours.

“It’s great that the minister took the time to visit north Queensland and speak to locals about this problem. It’s very easy for people who don’t live in the area to see this as a bit of a joke, but this is a major – and life-threatening – problem,” Mr Knuth said.



News on Sunday that a snorkeller off Lizard Island had been treated for minor cuts and abrasions when a two metre crocodile attacked him was described by Mr Katter as “the last straw”.



Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said stricter measures may be required but Mr Katter said a controlled cull was needed as soon as possible.



The latest development comes just hours after reports of a beheaded crocodile near Innisfail, revealing locals may be taking steps to control crocodiles themselves.



Mr Knuth said this was because the government was failing to act.



“People are saying this was bound to happen and it will continue if the government doesn’t do something.”



The Humane Society International expressed dismay at Josh Frydenberg’s comments in support of a cull of crocodiles in northern Queensland, saying any order to kill the species protected under state and federal law would be a grossly irresponsible and ineffective measure that does nothing to increase public safety.

"It's quite absurd that we have the suggestion to return to an outdated and draconian strategy that would target a species listed as vulnerable under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act, and it's even more shocking that our federal Environment Minister is publicly announcing his support for it, given the negative consequences a cull would have on the species and its environment,” spokeswoman Nicola Beynon said.

“The federal minister does not have the power to approve a cull in Queensland because it is a matter entirely for the state government.



“HSI commends the Queensland Environment Minister for taking the view that a cull would give the public a false sense of safety, and we also support the sensible approach to crocodile population monitoring as the best way forward.”

Following the Lizard Island incident, the state government on Monday said it would review new crocodile management plans.



Under the current plan, crocodiles are proactively removed from designated urban areas and relocated to crocodile farms or zoos, and crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour, regardless of location, are also targeted for removal.

Neither the ALP nor the LNP supports culling, and none of the Mareeba, Douglas and Cassowary Coast mayors have called for a cull.

Minister Frydenberg has confirmed he intends to meet with KAP representatives to discuss their proposal at a mutually acceptable time.

The story Frydenberg support for croc cull first appeared on North Queensland Register.