Australian federal government backs stockmen over Snowy River grazing bans

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian stockmen attempting to preserve their way of life won federal government support with a formal declaration saying their access to alpine lands forms part of the nation's heritage.

The stockmen, a type of Australian cowboy, are angry at the Victoria state government's move to stop horses and cattle grazing in mountain national parks during summer.

About 500 cattlemen on horseback staged a muster through Melbourne's streets Thursday, calling for a reversal of the ban.

They won support from federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell Friday, who used emergency listing provisions under the Environment Act to declare mountain grazing a part of Australia's national heritage.

"(I) believe the Victorian government's decision to ban...