On Wednesday, 29 July 2026 during estimates hearings with the Primary Industries and Resources Committee, I asked the Minister for Primary Industries questions about Queensland's Shark Control Program.
You can read our full exchange below or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings here.
Mr BERKMAN: I do. I want to return to the issue of the Shark Control Program. Minister, you have said that the objective of that program is swimmer safety. Why then did the department itself apply to remove conditions from marine park permits that required a transition to SMART drum lines, which themselves allow for a faster removal of caught animals that can actually attract sharks to beaches?
Mr PERRETT: I thank the member for the question. I reiterate that the purpose of this program is to protect human life. This program has operated for many decades. I know the member was not here earlier when I went into some detail about the importance of that program.
Mr BERKMAN: For your benefit, Minister, I saw the earlier session so I am aware of the previous answers that have been given.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, thank you. Minister, you have the call.
Mr PERRETT: I reiterate the purpose of this program. We have invested a record amount of funding into this program, including into nonlethal methods. Those SMART drum lines that you mention are operated where we are required to operate them, and we do that. We have not stepped back from that. Yes, there is some data that suggests that perhaps they are not as effective as the traditional drum lines, but our commitment to servicing the equipment more regularly has not only enhanced the ability to be able to deal with encounters with any non-target species; it has given us the ability to further look at other opportunities, particularly in and around some of the nets. I know the interaction with non-target species—particularly whales at this time of year—is raised from time to time. We have given that commitment to look at new technologies that will deal with that. Again, we work within the parameters and the requirements. That was a question that was mentioned earlier by another member of the committee around the program and how it operates. We operate within those requirements. Should there be an issue that we need to take up with the federal government, I will absolutely do that, as I committed to the member for Bundaberg earlier. Again, I do not step away from the fact that the primary purpose of this program is to protect human life. Yes, 60 per cent of the funding is for nonlethal methods and we talked about drones earlier. We will work to protect Queensland swimmers.
Mr BERKMAN: Thank you, Minister. You made some claims in there about the efficacy of nonlethal SMART drum lines compared to traditional drum lines. As I understand it, that is a reference to the fact that they simply catch more sharks because they are in the water all the time. Is it ultimately the case that your measure of swimmer safety is simply how many sharks are killed in Queensland waters? If not, what is the actual measurable reduction in shark bite or other measure that you use to determine improvements in swimmer safety?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, I think there were some arguments within that question. The last part of your statement leading to a question was a question about what are the measures. Minister, could you answer that question, please?
Mr PERRETT: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. There were a lot of components to it. I get a lot of opinions and views about how we should manage sharks in this state and they vary widely, as you could appreciate, and they come from all corners of the state. We have committed, particularly as part of this program, to do stock assessments. There are seven target species that are key to the Shark Control Program in Queensland. We have committed to stock assessments and that is something that has never been done before and it is something I am proud of. We will now be assessing some of the species, and that is critical to understanding the impact of the program and, more importantly, the prevalence or otherwise of sharks in Queensland waters. As I said earlier, there are lots of suggestions around that. We are going to quantify, through this new program, the work that is being undertaken. The measure for me is preventing loss of life in this state. That is the purpose of this program, and has been across governments, and I will not step away from it.
Mr BERKMAN: I will have one final attempt. Your answer did not actually, as I heard it, offer any measure, as far as the reduction of shark bite or risk goes, to assess the efficacy of the program. Is that simply because the real objective of this program is public perception and politics, not safety?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: One moment, Minister. Member for Maiwar, like your last question, there was some argument contained in that question. I am not going to rule it out of order. You are an experienced member here. It would help the committee if we all asked questions not containing arguments as preambles. Minister?
Mr PERRETT: I completely reject that. I will direct the member to the KPMG report in respect of the Shark Control Program and existing measures that are there. Again, I reiterate to the member that human life takes precedence. It will continue to do so under this government. We will continue to invest, as we have, into new technologies. Until those new technologies are proven, the existing program will remain.