McGIRR BILL TO REPEAL HORSE HERITAGE ACT

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has given notice of his intention to introduce a private member's bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. 

The controversial act, which became law in 2018, effectively gives priority to protection of horses - a damaging invasive species - over the preservation of native flora and fauna in the national park. 

Dr McGirr’s Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025 would remove the legal requirement to protect horses and allow for management plans that prioritise the support of native species. 

“Horses cause major damage to the alpine landscape, trampling wetlands and destroying habitat so it makes no sense to continue with a law that effectively requires that damage to continue,” Dr McGirr said. 

“We would never accept a law that prioritises the protection of wild pigs, goats or foxes over native species yet under the current law, we do just that for horses. 

“It is time to reverse a wrong of the past and give the fragile high-country environment a chance to recover from years of degradation.” 

Dr McGirr’s notice of motion follows the presentation to parliament in May of a petition signed by more than 11,000 people calling for the repeal of the heritage act. 

The Invasive Species Council led the petition and is strongly supporting Dr McGirr’s repeal bill. 

The council’s CEO, Jack Gough, said the repeal bill would give the parliament an opportunity to reverse years of environmental degradation in the park. 

“For the sake of our native animals and precious mountain streams, we are calling on Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman to come together to support Dr McGirr’s Bill,” Mr Gough said.   

“The removal by the government of thousands of feral horses from the park has led to early signs of ecological recovery in the park but with some 3,000 remaining, damage continues and now is the time to finish the job.”   

Dr McGirr is discussing the proposed bill with other members of parliament ahead of the expected introduction of his repeal bill in the August sitting.