Media Release

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has the Queensland Government firmly in his line of sight as he pressures them to remove the legal protection of the bats which continue to cause grief in communities throughout the sunshine state.

Mr Katter re-submitted a letter today to the current Premier of Queensland informing him that since the previous letter (submitted to his deputy on the 13th of July 2011), the Queensland Government’s continued ignorance has resulted in the situation worsening and that legal advice has now been sought.

“It is now more important than ever that we change the laws that place more importance on protecting bats’ rights than human lives.

“We are now in a position where we can pressure Queensland Government Ministers for the removal of the legal protection of bat colonies.

“We have had discussions with lawyers and understand that there are legal implications if the Government does not act immediately.

Mr Katter warns that the health issues will escalate with bat colonies inundating schools, parks, playgrounds and other public areas.

“The Government won’t remove greenie commercial bodies that protect these ticking time bomb bats and they won’t allow people to protect themselves – it’s a catch 22.

“The lives of Queenslanders have been left in jeopardy because the Premier doesn’t have the guts to stand up to a few sick in the head green environmentalists.

“These creatures that are spreading through largely populated areas are rife with disease including SARS, Hendra, Salmonella, Avian Flu, Leptospirosis and Lyssavirus. They also potentially carry Nipah, Marburg and Ebola.

“The Government clearly know the health reports. In a recent study of bats, using a non-random sample, the results showed that 30 per cent of the bats tested positive for Lyssavirus.

“Katter’s Australian Party has unequivocally stated its position: that you will have the right to remove bats from private land where you reside.”

Mr Katter said that while the Federal Government has issued the State Government with the directive to resolve this issue and the ignorance from the Queensland Government in the past has come at a great cost with both stock losses and the tragic circumstance where lives have been lost.

“It’s just outrageous that you can’t protect your own family by controlling bat colonies that appear in your back yard and we will continue to fight until the law says you can,” said Mr Katter.