These threads always bring out lots of opinions, theories and assertions which are then stated as facts, which can be quite misleading to newcomers in the reptile game. It seems some members here have a far better idea about Australia's biosecurity requirements than those actually working in the field.
Of course Australia is going to be conservative with regard to the importation of non-domestic animals, given that the seemingly innocuous release of the Cane Toad has unleashed one of the biggest environmental catastrophes the country has ever seen. It is probably as bad as anything seen on the entire globe so far, and it hasn't stopped yet. And then we can go to Sparrows, Starlings, Mynahs... only in Perth suburbs can you wake up to the sound of honeyeaters and other native birds now, all the other capital cities are infested with these verminous species which have pushed all native species out. Perth, thankfully, is devoid of these invaders, thanks to the Nullarbor Plain and a concerted effort at the western edge of the Nullarbor to keep them out.
If you want to keep exotics, move to the UK, as one member, a long-time critic of Australia's restrictive laws and a respondent in this thread, has done. Any popular species of pet reptile unlucky enough to escape in that part of the world won't last 12 months due to the unfavourable climate, and there is very little natural habitat left, so environmental concerns are few. Australia is regarded as "the home of reptiles" by many scientists. Most exotic species could find a niche in this country which would support their proliferation in the right circumstances. But I guess the grass is always greener, and there will always be people who want, want, want what they can't have.
Why take the risk?
Jamie
