QLD Licensing

The following is an email sent out regarding proposed QLD licensing changes.



The following information has come from the Ministerial sub-committee, members of PIJACK and other observers. While it may not be 100% accurate, National Parks (QPWS) has in the main confirmed it
As the committee members have been told to put nothing on paper and at this stage QPWS will put nothing on paper I’ve had to draft this from notes taken on phone conversations with QPWS and committee members.

It has been proposed that 2 sub-species of the python family ( maculosa & childreni) plus some lizards and turtles be allowed in pet shops.
Not being a lizard or turtle person I didn’t make notes of these.

A couple of other changes are.
The six monthly returns to be abolished.

Movement advises to be issued with every transaction (not a problem)

A licence will cost about $200 and will be for a 5 year period.

Only 1 type of licence will be issued and from there it will be endorsed, at a cost, for the different grades of reptiles you can keep.

It would appear that QPWS have decided that Qld is to be the only state to try and define who is a commercial breeder and who is a hobbyist.
This is an area that they are stuck on at the moment.

Should you be deemed to be a commercial breeder you may ONLY keep the reptiles that are allowed in shops under a commercial licence.


You WILL NOT be able to keep ANY OTHER reptile.


The definitions of a commercial breeder are as follows.

A person using protected animals or species will be deemed to be a commercial breeder if the do ONE of the following.

1/ Have a business name

2/ Pay tax ( on sales of reptiles)

3/ Import reptiles from other states to re-sell

4/ it is your main business or home occupation (wording may be wrong on this one)


OR if you do TWO or more of the following


1/ Employ staff in the operation or management of the reptiles

2/ Maintain a permanent or semi permanent advertisement

3/ Have a freight account with a transport company or airline

4/ Keep a separate bank account

5/ Issues a invoice or gives a receipt

6/ Sells more than 10 reptiles in any one year or sell more than 5 reptiles to a pet shop
or wholesaler anywhere in Australia


Another phrase I’ve been hearing when talking with John Rice (QPWS) is the following. This, when you look at it is an all encompassing phrase.

“Was it done (breeding) with the expectation of reward or gain”

if so, then you are a commercial breeder.

My daughter (law student) pointed out to me that it could be argued that someone who kept a pair,(M&F) of reptiles together, had the expectation that they would breed and when the eggs hatched there would be a gain.

It could also work this way, young Jack (16y.o.) has a pair of blue tongues, (allowed in shops) he keeps them in the same cage and they breed. The eggs hatch and he sells 7 to a pet shop, they pay him by cheque.
Jack as I understand it would be deemed to be a commercial breeder as it could be argued that by keeping the lizards together there was the expectation they would breed.
He then sold 7 to a pet shop and was paid by cheque. The fact that he has banked a cheque made payable to himself into his bank account could be argued that he has acknowledged receipt of the money received.

The above story I ran past QPWS and the answer I got, “was it done with the expectation of reward or gain”

Something to keep firmly in your mind is that if you are deemed to be a commercial breeder you will ONLY be able to keep the species listed on a commercial licence.
EVERYTHING else you have to get rid of.


It is interesting to note and remember that our native reptiles are protected by the Crown.

My son uses emu oil for a skin condition, now the last time I looked they, unlike motor cars don’t have a sump plug to drain the oil. They, a protected species are slaughtered for their oil, meat, skins ect.

Saltwater crocs are also protected but I’m told that in some super markets you can buy croc meat.



I again remind you that this may not be 100% accurate, but it is bloody close.
Nothing has been put on paper so I’ve worked off my notes of phone conversations with QPWS and others.

The idea that reptiles be allowed in pet shops I feel is a good one. I think it can only help with the conservation of our wildlife by increasing public awareness and education.

[Alexahnder]

i think they seem to be trying to discourage people from keeping reptiles. Bluetongues, beardies, childrens, macs and turtles usually have ten or more hatchlings.

[Slateman]

Looks like they are after tax money

[Alexahnder]

what will happen to breeders like paul??

[ad]

Are there any herps putting our view across, and where do I sign up!
really, what diff is there between stimson/spotteds not to include childrens pythons
and you can only have spotted pythons if you want to supply a pet shop and sell the rest of your herps is ludicrous.
I can see some people setting up 50 or more spotted python adults in plastic containers to breed thousands of them to supply the market. These people are not doing it for the animals and they will suffer accordingly. Instead of battery hens we will have battery python farms.
Maybe i cant see the bigger picture. Maybe we should shun this market and all its greed, do we need it and what benefit is it to us 'hardened' herps that are doing it anyway, do we need to spoon feed the masses into impulse purchasing.
hmmmmm

[pythonss]

hi everyone..

firstly let me say that qld reptile keepers had better take this very seriously. this will effect nearly every keeper is some way. of course some more than others.
ad you are right reptile keepers do need to have a voice. at this stage its not as loud as it should be. the qld herp society should have some idea as to how to go about being organised. this dosent just effect reptiles but most if not all native wildlife. as you could imagine this has also upset the bird comunity. and they are already makeing there views heard. how ever again reptile keepers in general have been slow off the mark in this regard.

nreibelt@tpg.com.au that email will put you in contact with a local brisbane person that is trying to get some awarness happening. At this time he is also trying to get a invite to the closed meeting that will be at the end of the month. He needs the suport of as many qld reptile keepers as possible.
From what i have heard neil charles is also going to be at this meeting and he seems to also be upset about the proposed changes, all reports sugest he is trying to get a level playing field. Mostly local brisbane keepers will know this man.
other than that ring, email and generally make your views heard with the qld npws. john rice on 07 3225 1580.
also kim at pet city in mt gravat. there belong to the organised pet trade or pijac.. they may be able to point you in the direction of whats being organised.

be aware of a few things.. the end of month meeting is closed and invite only. this is going to contribute to the final draft that will be submitted for legislation change.. There is little to sugest that there will be any sort of public consultation on this draft.
If this draft is submitted and pasted with out objection from keepers we have nobody to blame but ourselves.

i have a whole heap of personal views as well but will refrane from personal issues at this stage.
cheers paul.

[Slateman]

I wish you luck paul and others, but obvieusly labour goverment in quensland located another tax revenue and they will go for it. other states will fallow soon after.

[sarahbell]

would it be to late to start a petion paull and if not who would i send it to

[gbskda]

What happens to us LITTLE PEOPLE.
So I if my Coastals breed then I cant sell them to anyone.
So in theory I have to keep them separated for life and in the end have a P*SSED OFF Male Coastal that cant get laid for the fear of me having a commercial Licence and then I am only allowed to keep Spotteds.
don't get me wrong I like spotteds as I have 1 already, but I also like my Water Python, Diamond.
So he point being how would every keeper like to go through life without getting laid because if you do then you will be hit with a ridiculous licence that cant be used anywhere.
Regards
Grant

[pythonss]

hi sarah..
my opinion is its never to late to start anything...

get a hold of nev with the email i have supplyed and talk to him about what is being organised...you may be able to add to that or maybe even start somthing yourself..
great to see your thinking of it..
cheers paul.