The purpose of the Act is to amend the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic) to limit the introduction and use of cattle in the Alpine and River Red Gum national parks. The Alpine and River Red Gum national parks comprise the Alpine National Park and Barmah, Gunbower, Hattah-Kulkyne, Lower Goulburn, Murray-Sunset and Warby-Ovens national parks.
More specifically the Act introduces a new s 28(1) which provides that nothing in the National Parks Act authorises a relevant person or body from exercising a power or performing a function or duty under that Act to introduce or use, or cause or authorise the introduction or use of cattle for any purpose in parks described in the Act.
Section 28(2) defines relevant person or body to include a Traditional Owner Land Management Board, or any employee, agent or contractor of such a person or body or any person acting under the direction of such a person.
For further information please see the Explanatory Memorandum and the Second Reading.
Relevant provisions:
s 28 Introduction or use of cattle in specific parks
(1) Nothing in this Act authorises a relevant person or body exercising a power or performing a function or duty under this Act or under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 to introduce or use, cause to be introduced or used or authorise the introduction or use of cattle for any purpose in a park described in Part 9, 37, 38, 46, 47, 48 or 49 of Schedule Two.
(2) In subsection (1), "relevant person or body" means the following—
(a) the Minister (except when exercising a power under section 30BA, 30I or 30L);
(b) the Secretary;
(c) Parks Victoria within the meaning of the Parks Victoria Act 1998 ;
(d) a Traditional Owner Land Management Board;
(e) an employee, agent or contractor of a person or body referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) or a person acting under the direction of that person or body.".