The 2008 Appeal into the NSW Kangaroo Mangament Plan

The 2008 Appeal into the NSW Kangaroo Mangament Plan

Over five hearing days, from the 31st to the 4th of April 2008 we appealed the Federal Ministers decision to approve the NSW 2007 to 2012 Commercial Kangaroo Management Plan in the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

We argued that the Federal Minister (at the time Malcolm Turnbull, now Peter Garrett) didn't have enough information to approve the Plan. We based our appeal on sustainablity and humane issues that have not been addressed. On Monday myself, Angie Stevenson and Sally Dingle-Wall from NSW Animal Liberation gave evidence into our two year undercover investigation into the commercial kangaroo kill. (details are on the kangaroo protection website at http://www.kangaroosforever.com )

With a disillusioned kangaroo shooter and a private detective, we did several trips around NSW, entering chiller boxes, taking photos and videos, and talking to the community at servos and cafes, etc. Kangaroo numbers throughout NSW have crashed, and we gave evidence accordingly. Our barristers supoenaed Dr Bidda Jones from the RSPCA, and she gave evidence during Monday afternoon which supported much of what we were saying in relation to humane issues. On Tuesday Mark Pearson from Animal Lib NSW (just arrived back from Zurich) gave his evidence, including presenting a DVD.

Unfortunately part of the DVD was disallowed. Professor Clive Philips gave evidence for the Federal government and NSW DECC via videolink from Perth. He actually helped our case. Tuesday was also devoted to cross-examination of Arthur Snook, DECC's (formerly NSW NPWS) compliance officer. Dr David Croft arrived from Broken Hill to give his evidence for us on Wednsday.

Also on Wednesday Dr Paul Hopwood gave evidence, as did Dr Tony Pople for the Feds and DECC. Our two barristers, Peter Singleton and Mathew Baird, and our solicitors did an amazing job, especially considering the complexities of the issue, which they had good handle on. The Feds and DECC had three barristers and four solicitors working for them. Typically, their legal team were obstructive.

Dr Cairns and the NSW Kangaroo Kill manager Nicole Payne gave evidence for the Government on Thursday.

When the Tribunal's decision is handed down, we will post it on this webpage. The decision is not expected to be handed down for some weeks. Meanwhile our barristers final submission to the Tribunal is posted below. it is a PDF file of 108 pages, if you rightclick on the link below and save to "My Documents" it will download into your computer. You will need Adobe Reader (free) to open it.

Right-click to download this PDF file here.

Below are the transcripts from the five day hearings. These are large files and may take a few minutes to download.