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Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Page: 2952

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled:

The petition of the undersigned shows:

That the Australian native species — Canis dingo — also known as Canis lupus dingo — or Canis familiaris dingo is omitted from listing as a species within the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .

The dingo is Australia's apex mammalian predator and is scientifically shown to be a necessary part of healthy wild eco-systems for the continued wellbeing of biodiversity within systems where herbivorous species find habitat. The dingo performs a similar role in Australia to that of the lion of Africa.

Where populations of dingoes have been extirpated the ecosystems are now in severe danger of collapse due to mesopredator invasions of foxes, cats etc. introduced by European settlers.

Your petitioners ask/request that the Senate:

Include the specific listing of Canis dingo within the full meaning of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation act, and further that the species be declared as "threatened" within the appropriate section of that a c t.

by Senator Waters (from 5,678 citizens).