ISC Submissions
Victoria's Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework, consultation draft - September 2009
ISC advocates a 'permittled list' approach to weeds, which permits the introduction of non-indigenous plants only after a risk assessment finds they are low risk. The framework is too narrow in its focus on 'high-risk' species and 'high-value' conservation areas. Climate change needs to be a recognised important context for reform. There needs to be recognition that native species are also invasive.
Download ISC submission - 158kB PDF
Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework
Australia's Biodiversity Strategy 1020-2020, consultation draft - May 2009
This strategy fails to provide a clear basis for effective action to conserve biodiversity and should therefore be redrafted to:
- nominate specific objectives and actions and assessable targets that will comprehensively and effectively address threats and advance conservation biodiversity to meet Australia’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and elsewhere,
- explicate lessons to be learned from the failure of the 1996 strategy to reverse the downward trends for Australian biodiversity; and
- demonstrate a commitment by the federal government to leadership on biodiversity conservation.
Download ISC submission - 97kB PDF
Australia's Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2020
Escaped garden plants as a key threatening process - April 2009
There is strong evidence that escaped garden plants are having a major adverse impact on Australia’s biodiversity, including threatened species of national environmental significance. The threat from such weeds is likely to increase into the future, particularly under climate change.
Download ISC submission - 138kB PDF
Independent review into the operation of the EPBC Act 1999 - January 2009
Along with land clearing and climate change, invasive species are one of the top three threats to Australia’s biodiversity. And yet the country’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act does not provide an adequate framework to address invasive species threats, particularly those already established in Australia.
Download ISC submission - 398kB PDF
Independent review website
Draft Hog Deer Management Strategy - December 2008
The draft management strategy for hog deer in Victoria proposes goals and strategies that are anathema to best practice management of threatening invasive animals and biodiversity conservation.
It is clear that the purpose of the strategy is to improve recreational hunting opportunities for hog deer, and that it will lead to expanded populations and range of hog deer.
Download ISC submission - 78kB PDF
Download the draft strategy from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment website
Inquiry into the operation of the EPBC Act 1999 - 2008
In this submission ISC focuses on the threat of invasive species to Australian biodiversity, arguing that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act does not provide the basis for preventing, containing or managing the serious harms caused to Australia’s biodiversity and matters of national environmental significance by invasive species.
Download ISC submission - 265kB PDF
Independent review website
Quarantine and biosecurity review - April 2008
The Invasive Species Council is concerned about a number of issues surrounding Australia’s federal quarantine and biosecurity system, including:
- Cultural issues.
- Failure to implement polluter pays approaches.
- Insufficient precaution or priority in risk assessments.
- Lack of taxonomic expertiseInadequate border quarantineEradication opportunities being ignored.
Download ISC submission - 118kB PDF
Quarantine and Biosecurity website
Victorian Land and Biodiversity Green Paper - June 2008
While the Victorian Government’s Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change Green Paper appropriately acknowledges that invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and agriculture, there are a number of gaps, including:
Pathogens: Despite the considerable environmental harm pathogens cause in Victoria, including dieback fungus, which kills native plants, and chytrid fungus, a major threat to frog populations, they barely rate a mention in the Green Paper.
Exotic invertebrates: A large number of exotic earthworms are being spread in Victoria, with unknown consequences, and insects, spiders and crustaceans are becoming more popular as pets, a trend that will inevitably lead to them being released into the wild once owners tire of them.
Download ISC submission - 162kB PDF
Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change website
Senate inquiry into the regulation, control and management of invasive species - September 2003
Inquiry into the regulation, control and management of invasive species and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Invasive Species) Bill 2002.
Download ISC submission - 428kB PDF
Submissions held on the Parliament of Australia Senate website