How is the Government working with Manly Council to protect the remaining fairy penguins?
Mr DEBUS: The interest of the honourable member for South Coast in environmental matters is well known. As well as taking a strong interest in environmental issues, he is aware of the need to protect the large colonies of little penguins along the South Coast at Montague Island, Tollgate Island and Brush Island. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Pittwater to order. Mr DEBUS: The House will recall that the little penguin colony at Manly was recently devastated by a dog attack which killed eight of the penguins. The location of this colony has been kept secret for many years in an effort to preserve its natural habitat. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the National to order for the second time. I call the honourable member for Epping to order for the second time. Mr DEBUS: It contains 78 breeding pairs. I understand that these penguins tend to have the same mate for life and so an attack of this nature can have serious long-term impacts on what was a previously s
