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NT weed whacker cut
28 Jun 2004
A Northern Territory Government program to help landowners fight the spread of the noxious weed mimosa pigra has been scrapped, due to allegations of improper use of the funds. The subsidy has been paid for more than 10 years and cost $300,000 a year. It was designed to help pastoralists prevent the spread of the weed which grows so thick that cattle can't penetrate it.
The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment said a large proportion of the fund was going to a few individuals. It wasn't actually treating weed problems in a strategic sense and was viewed as being fairly ineffective.
Mimosa pigra is estimated to cost NT pastoralists about $13 million a year. The NT Cattlemen's Association said the subsidy was vital in stemming the weed's spread.
Northern Territory News, 28/6/04.
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