The Greens welcome the Invasive Species Council concerns over the delay of the new biocontrol measures for rabbits, as populations exponentially increase. The state Liberals and Federal Labor need to get serious about rabbits, and help deliver alternative, humane biocontrol measures.
In March 2025, the Greens tabled a petition in Parliament calling on the Liberals to take urgent action on destructive rabbit populations across the state. But despite the community continuing to raise concerns, the Liberals have again failed to act and the issue has only worsened.
Rabbits are an invasive species which pose a serious threat to the Tasmanian environment, community infrastructure, and landholders. Local communities are doing their best to deal with increasing rabbits, but without the government’s help, it’s draining them of vital resources.
The Liberal Government must work with the Federal Government and invest in alternative, humane biocontrol measures to mitigate the increasing rabbit population. We can’t keep relying on myxomatosis and calicivirus, which are losing their potency. Work on the next biological control is needed.
Do we have to have another rabbit plague before the Liberal Government finally acts? It’s way past time they stop letting down the people of Tasmania and our special places and take meaningful action to combat invasive species like rabbits.
