Bandicoot boss

I am writing in response to the article Give a Hoot for the Bandicoots (Cranbourne News, 27 March).
The Victorian government bandicoot strategy is currently in the process of being assessed and will be given thorough consideration under national environmental law.
The Department of Environment has conducted further consultation on the strategy and the concerns raised will be carefully considered.
The strategy will only be approved if it provides appropriate protection for populations of the bandicoot within the south eastern growth corridor.
Protection of Australia’s threatened species is something I take seriously and very personally.
We are facing a crisis in Australia with an ever-increasing number of native plants and animals faced with extinction.
That is why I have announced that I will appoint a Threatened Species Commissioner this year.
The commissioner will bring a renewed focus to practical action to secure threatened species in the wild and ensure that conservation efforts and investment are better targeted, better co-ordinated and more effective.
Greg Hunt,
Flinders MP and Minister for Environment.