I rise this evening to talk about the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and the ongoing campaign by Terri Irwin to protect this beautiful wilderness spot. After Steve Irwin’s tragic death, the federal government provided funds for the purchase of the leasehold on a wetland conservation property of approximately 135,000 hectares in Cape York Peninsula in honour of his great conservation work. I have visited the reserve and have had the opportunity firsthand to see the amazing uniqueness and biodiversity that abounds there.

The rangers and conservationists have identified 158 terrestrial vertebrate species, 12 rare, threatened or Cape York endemic animals and 24 plant species. The Wenlock River runs along the boundary of the reserve for 65 kilometres and supports populations of the endangered spear-tooth shark, freshwater sawfish, freshwater rays as well as estuarine crocodiles. More importantly, five perched bauxite springs have been found on the reserve. These have not been found anywhere else. The intricate linkages between the land, the springs and the river, which is the lifeblood of so many species of plant and animals, mean this land must be protected.

So what is the threat? Cape Alumina Pty Ltd has lodged mining lease applications over 12,300 hectares of the reserve and wants to mine over 50 million tonnes of bauxite starting next year. So what happens if you remove the bauxite from the perched bauxite springs? You kill the springs and everything that relies on them for support. Cape Alumina has said that it will rehabilitate the area after it has strip mined it. Interestingly, Bindi Irwin, who is only 10 years old, understands the problem. She said that the only way you can rehabilitate the springs is to put the bauxite back in.

I have received from Australia Zoo 1,889 postcards addressed to the previous minister for mines and energy detailing people’s objections to allowing the mining to go ahead. I table a copy of one for the House and I will be forwarding these postcards to the new minister as soon as I can.

Tabled paper: Flyer, titled ‘Save Steve’s Place’, regarding the proposed mining area on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve .

I have sponsored a parliamentary online e-petition which has attracted 2,587 people who also do not want to see mining on the reserve. Visitors to the zoo’s website are also able to sign their online petition, and they have currently attracted 140,911 signatures. This has to be a record and it sends a very clear message that no mining should go ahead on Steve’s place. Terri Irwin and her team will be putting their own money into significant research incorporating research on crocodiles, fire management and feral animal control, including flora and looking at its medicinal qualities.

The whole reason behind obtaining the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is to protect the country and its diverse and unique plants and animals. Australia Zoo is working with leading experts in carbon credits and climate change to conduct a total economic valuation of the reserve. I call on Cape Alumina to stop the nonsense and the incorrect information it has been peddling and withdraw its applications, because if it were able to mine it would simply destroy a remarkable wilderness area to the detriment of the environment and all Queenslanders.