Best friends forever: Molly and Peggy will remain together following Queensland government ruling. (Supplied: Juliette Wells)
In short:
Queensland’s environment minister has revealed Molly the magpie will not be seized by authorities, despite the Queensland Supreme Court overturning a decision to grant its Gold Coast carers a special wildlife licence.
It ends a year-long saga that began when officers from Queensland’s environment department seized the magpie.
What’s next?
The Queensland government will review its legislation to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
The long-running saga of Gold Coast internet-famous Molly the magpie is finally at an end.
The state government on Tuesday confirmed the bird would not be seized, despite the couple housing it not having a licence to care for it.
Molly the magpie shot to fame in 2021 due to its unlikely friendship with Peggy the Staffordshire terrier, both of which resided at the home of Gold Coast couple Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells.
The magpie’s future was in limbo over the past few months after the Queensland Supreme Court overturned a special licence that had been granted to the carers.
Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell has now described Molly as “a wild bird” — saying the couple did not need a permit to keep it.
“We’re not seizing the bird,” Mr Powell said.
“My understanding is from the briefs I have received from my department … is the bird is free to come and go, in essence it is wild … and therefore a permit isn’t required.”
Andrew Powell says authorities will not seize Molly the magpie. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)
Public outcry over removal
The ruling ends a year-long saga that began when officers from Queensland’s environment department seized Molly in March last year.
Molly was returned about six weeks later after a public outcry and intervention by then-Queensland premier Steven Miles.
Former Queensland premier Steven Miles intervened to have Molly the magpie returned to its carers. (Supplied)
The couple, however, had to apply to the Queensland environment department for a special wildlife licence, and agree that they would not profit from the magpie or its image.
But in November, the couple lost the licence to look after the bird after that decision was found to be invalid by the Queensland Supreme Court.
State legislation under review
Mr Powell said while the case has been closed, the department was reviewing its legislation.
“To be blunt, this whole Molly the magpie episode has certainly shone a spotlight on our laws and legislation, and I and my department are looking at them to work out what needs to be improved to make sure this kind of situation doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Mr Mortensen and Ms Wells have been contacted for comment.
