Mutton bird poachers in the far North-West are going unchecked because of the Liberal Government’s cuts to the Parks and Wildlife service.
“Nesting shearwater birds at the Stanley Nut have been targeted by poachers and no Parks staff have been available to respond,” according to Shadow Police Minister David Llewellyn.
“Police alerted Parks and Wildlife on Tuesday that poachers were in the area but it had no suitably skilled staff to act on the information.
“After hours patrols to combat poaching are not happening as they have been in the past because Park’s staff have been cut.
“The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Matthew Groom, today confirmed full time Parks staff have been axed because of budget cuts and showed little concern that it’s giving poachers free rein.
“The nesting shearwater birds are a major attraction for tourists visiting the Nut but Mr Groom obviously couldn’t care less.
“The cuts to Parks staff have left the Government unable to protect our wildlife which poses a significant threat to tourism attractions like the Nut.”
David Llewellyn MP Shadow Police Minister
