Epping kangaroo rescue
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (09:47): Once again I rise in this place to talk about this government failing our native animals in a way that was completely avoidable. A mob of kangaroos have been landlocked since developers began working on extensions on O’Herns Road near the golf range in Epping. Last week, without a second thought for the welfare of this mob, the completed road was opened up to motorists. Suddenly cars began travelling at 60 kilometres per hour directly through their home. It should surprise nobody that there were collisions. One by one kangaroos were hit, while volunteer rescuers worked desperately to prevent the inevitable. One of the first was a mum with a joey at foot. Both were darted for emergency treatment, but after scans revealed spinal fractures and broken feet both had to be euthanised. Vets For Compassion assisted. Their small team had responded to over 60 similar call-outs that same week. They are volunteering up to 12-hour days, unrested and completely unsupported. There is no doubt that this government are continually relying on volunteer wildlife rescuers to clean up their own mess, and it is high time that they stopped treating native animals and their habitats as an afterthought.