General News
26 November, 2025
Croc debate gets stifled
MEMBER for Hill Shane Knuth has accused the State Government of playing political games after it moved to shut down debate on his Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill until after the Hinchinbrook by-election this Saturday.
The move from the government comes after Katter’s Australian Party’s (KAP) Nick Dametto announced he was stepping down from his role as Member for Hinchinbrook to run for Townsville Mayor.
Mr Knuth will now have to wait until after the Hinchinbrook by-election on 29 November before his Bill, which aims to establish the Queensland Crocodile Authority in Cairns, is put back on the agenda.
“This government is terrified of telling the people of Hinchinbrook what they really think about crocodile control,” Mr Knuth said.
“This is a disgraceful abuse of parliamentary process and an insult to every north Queenslander who’s been calling for real action on crocodile management.”
Among those north Queenslanders calling for action is local farmer George Adil, who petitioned for the expansion of Zone F in the Mareeba Shire under the current Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.
The expansion of the zone would increase the range in which saltwater crocodiles would be targeted for immediate removal.
Mr Adil’s paper petition and e-petition were tabled on 16 September after garnering 4,728 signatures in total. In a letter responding to Mr Adil’s petitions, Minister for the Environment Andrew Powell said he was reviewing the management plan.
Although no amendments had been made yet, Mr Adil was “encouraged that a positive result will happen”.
“If the (Department of Environment) did as is said in the ministerial directive there may not have been a need for the petition,” he said.
“We all know that it was inaction that got the petition ball rolling and led to the department’s awakening. That being said, it does encourage one to believe that a positive result will happen with the expansion of Zone F.”
