What happened to the globally-beloved kangaroo, koala and other Australian indigenous animals under the beliefs and traditions of colonialism? How did their fate during 200 years of nation building become a fugitive drama of dispossession and disrespect – and what is today’s little known and blood-stained legacy in a world rapidly losing its biodiversity?
Documentary journalist Maria Taylor, author of Global warming and climate change: what Australia knew and buried, unveils a cultural history of warfare against Australia’s other indigenous inhabitants. Her investigation exposes David and Goliath battles for the wildlife and nature of Australia – with worldwide echos. Here also are paths to reconciliation and sharing that marry the ecological and the economic.
Voices in these pages come from citizen activists, first Australians, scientists and authors, graziers and industry whistleblowers.
“I’ve seen really sad things with kangaroos, horrendous wounding. Kangaroos dying for days.”
Terri Irwin learned about Australia’s industrial-scale kangaroo meat and skin industry first hand while rehabilitating a grazing property in Central Queensland.
“I rang the federal member for Roma the other day and said: have you been into parliament to tell them to change to coat of arms for Australia? She says why? I said because you’ve shot the kangaroo and emu out. She slammed the phone down on me.”
Tom King Sr, land manager, retired kangaroo shooter and wildlife policy critic.
Maria Taylor
Acclaimed investigative journalist and author of Global Warming and Climate Change, Maria Taylor is now launching her latest work, INJUSTICE: Hidden in plain sight, the war on Australian nature – kangaroo, koala, emu… hunted, sold, homeless… where lies truce, healing?
