A number of wildlife organisations have called on Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley to refrain from signing off on kangaroo killing quotas before a NSW parliamentary inquiry into kangaroo welfare tables its final report.

The Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2022-26 would allow the commercial killing of millions of kangaroos in NSW to continue.

The public only has until July 16 to comment on the Plan, even though the kangaroo inquiry’s final report won’t be published until October 14.

Kangaroos Alive, the Australian Wildlife Protection Council, Save the Kinley Kangas, and Animal Justice Party NSW have all called on Ley to intervene.

Upper House MP for the Animal Justice Party, Mark Pearson, who is Deputy Chair of the current inquiry into kangaroo welfare, has called for a moratorium on all kangaroo killing.

“At the very least, Sussan Ley must halt all proceedings of the Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2022-2026 until after the NSW kangaroo inquiry has tabled its findings and recommendations,” he said.

“It’s ludicrous the Government is attempting to push this through – despite the fires and the damning evidence presented to the inquiry already.”

The Health and wellbeing of kangaroos and other macropods in New South Wales inquiry was established in March 2021, with two public hearings held on June 11 and June 15.

Witnesses speaking out against the cruelty of the commercial kangaroo industry include Yuin Elder Uncle Max Gulumunmun Harrison, Indigenous educator Aunty Ro Mudyin Godwin, Professor David Brooks, biostatistician Claire Galea, and kangaroo carers Greg Keightley, Diane Smith, and Rae Harvey.

A number of organisations also gave evidence against the industry, including Kangaroos Alive, The Think Tank for Kangaroos, Animal Defenders Office, and the Australian Society for Kangaroos.

Media contact:
Elena Wewer – 0428 444 132