Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has conducted a systematic slaughter of the Brumbies on Curtis Island, off the coast of Gladstone. This “culling” was done by aerial shooting, not only in National Parks administered areas but also on private property. Many of these horses are descendants of the Waler horses used by the Queensland First Lighthorse troop in World War one. They have a major historical significance to Queensland and have been on Curtis Island for over 100 years. The cull included foals and mares in foal. These animals were tame and could have easily been rounded up and shipped off the island, if the population required this. The QPWS had even trained these horses to stay in a fenced yard so the decision to shoot them is both immoral and inexplicable.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ensure that:
1. further culling of the Brumbies on Curtis Island be immediately ceased;
2. all remaining Brumbies are protected;
3. an investigation is undertaken into the circumstances of this cull, how it occurred without community consultation and with spurious unscientific reasons given for it; and
4. a management plan is developed in consultation with the local community to manage the numbers in an appropriate and humane manner.