Eden-Monaro report card
Which by-election candidates will save Kosciuszko National Park from the destructive impacts of feral horses?There are currently 20,000 feral horses trampling through Kosciuszko National Park, degrading water catchments and pushing native wildlife closer to extinction.
Ahead of the 2020 Eden-Monaro by-election we contacted each of the 14 candidates to find out if they will stand up to protect one of Australia’s most iconic national parks from feral horses or let the horses continue to wreak havoc.
We sent all candidates a questionnaire and asked them five, straightforward questions to determine their level of support for protecting Kosciuszko (see table at the bottom of the page) and invited them to detail how they would stand up for Kosciuszko. We ranked the candidates on their overall response.
Reclaim Kosci received responses from 11 of the 14 candidates. The responses are summarised below.
There are currently 20,000 feral horses trampling through Kosciuszko National Park, degrading water catchments and pushing native wildlife closer to extinction.
Ahead of the 2020 Eden-Monaro by-election we contacted each of the 14 candidates to find out if they will stand up to protect one of Australia’s most iconic national parks from feral horses or let the horses continue to wreak havoc.
We sent all candidates a questionnaire and asked them five, straightforward questions to determine their level of support for protecting Kosciuszko and invited them to detail how they would stand up for Kosciuszko. We ranked the candidates on their overall response.
Reclaim Kosci received responses from 11 of the 14 candidates. The responses are summarised below.
CATHY GRIFF
The Greens
The Greens will support removal of horses via all humane control options and investigate placement of Kosciuszko on the world heritage list.
JAMES HOLGATE
Independent
James supports the complete removal of horses from Kosciuszko and the implementation of a comprehensive, integrated pest management plan.
JOY ANGEL
Sustainable Australia
Sustainable Australia will support a humane control program for all high-risk feral species and will fight for ecological restoration and environmental education programs.
MICHAEL BALDERSTONE
HEMP Party
The HEMP Party wholly supports a significant reduction of the feral horse population in Kosciuszko.
JAMES JANSSON
Science Party
James would look to environmental science experts to inform the best management strategies to preserve and improve our national parks.
| Honour commitment to end alpine grazing | Reduce feral horse numbers | Call on NSW to repeal the Heritage Horse Act | Support restoration of degraded high country | Support post-fire horse control measures | |
| Cathy Griff | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| James Holgate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Joy Angel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Michael Balderstone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| James Jansson | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
NARELLE STOREY
Christian Democratic Party
The Christian Democratic Party supports a significant reduction in feral horses numbers using a range of humane control measures to be outlined within the Act.
KRISTY MCBAIN
Labor
Labor support the protection of the natural ecosystems by reducing feral horse numbers using humane control measures but notes it is largely the responsibility of the state government.
| Honour commitment to end alpine grazing | Reduce feral horse numbers | Call on NSW to repeal the Heritage Horse Act | Support restoration of degraded high country | Support post-fire horse control measures | |
| Narelle Storey | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Kristy McBain | ? | Yes | ? | ? | ? |
FIONA KOTVOJS
Liberal
The Liberals would support a balance between the protection of both wild horses and the national park. Fiona did not complete the questionnaire but noted that she supports the current post-fire control measures.
JASON POTTER
Australian Federation Party
The Australian Federation Party supports a significant reduction of horse numbers but would rely on relocation or repurposing.
MATTHEW STADTMILLER
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers would support a significant reduction of horse numbers following further scientific surveys. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers advocate for systematic, ground-based culling programs but do not support live capture as a management tool.
| Honour commitment to end alpine grazing | Reduce feral horse numbers | Call on NSW to repeal the Heritage Horse Act | Support restoration of degraded high country | Support post-fire horse control measures | |
| Fiona Kotvojs | ? | Yes | ? | ? | Yes |
| Jason Potter | ? | Yes | ? | Yes | Yes |
| Matthew Stadtmiller | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
KAREN PORTER
Independent
Karen would like to see a recount before any action, and a management plan put in place. She did not complete the questionnaire and provided no further comments related to feral horses.
TREVOR HICKS
The Nationals
No response received but the NSW Nationals pushed through the law enshrining feral horse protection.
| Honour commitment to end alpine grazing | Reduce feral horse numbers | Call on NSW to repeal the Heritage Horse Act | Support restoration of degraded high country | Support post-fire horse control measures | |
| Karen Porter | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Trevor Hicks | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
How much do the candidates care for Kosci?
We asked the candidates five, straightforward questions to determine their level of support for protecting Kosciuszko. Here’s how they responded.
