Federal north Queensland MP Bob Katter is pushing for hunting safaris after NSW woman Cindy Waldron was taken by a crocodile in the Daintree National Park in Queensland.
Ms Waldron, 46, a photographer from Lithgow, is feared dead after she went for a late-night dip with a friend at Thornton Beach on Sunday night and was dragged under the water.
He said croc numbers had "exploded" to unprecedented levels, partly thanks to fewer predators.
But fellow north Queensland federal MP Warren Entsch says tourists are repeatedly warned about the dangers crocs pose, and people must take responsibility for their own actions.
Queensland’s Environment Department said while crocodile numbers could not be specified, the population had been in recovery since being hunted to the brink of extinction until 1974.
A spokesman said it was a myth that numbers were increasing – rather, the Department believed as urban development increased, people reported more sightings of the reptiles.
“The government is committed to reviewing the sustainability and effectiveness of the current management arrangements in Queensland,” he said.
“As part of that review, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection will be consulting with the community about their views on crocodile management.
“Also as part of that review, EHP is planning detailed population surveys of crocodile numbers in consultation with recognised crocodile experts.
“This work would provide scientifically sound information about crocodile populations to guide future crocodile management in Queensland.”
Leading crocodile expert Professor Graham Webb countered Mr Katter's assertions that croc numbers were out of control and rejected the MP's claims that crocs have flourished because their predators have dwindled and the ecosystem is out of kilter.
"There's no real evidence for it," he told the ABC.
"People fabricate this type of stuff."
Ms Waldron’s New Zealand-based parents plan to travel to Queensland as authorities continue the search for any sign of her.
As police and SES crews completed a second day of searching on Tuesday, Pat and Heather Waldron conceded there was little they could do to help.
"We need to be there on the ground to show that we are there, that we care," Mr Waldron told the NZ Herald from their Tauranga home.
"Our darling girl is gone."
Acting Inspector Ed Lukin said teams had scoured the receding and incoming tide lines and the Environment Department organised three croc traps.
"They'll be on the water until 2am," he said.
Heavy rain has been hampering the efforts of search crews.
On a website for Ms Waldron’s business Instinctive Images, she recalled developing a love of photography during her teenage years.
"All the hours of photography and digital imaging are worth it when I present the newly-wed couples, first time parents & extended families with their crafted images," she wrote.
"The looks on their faces tell me that they will be family treasures for years to come."
Those who knew her work paid tribute to Ms Waldron's talent.
"Your smile and enthusiasm was contagious," one customer wrote on Facebook.
Ms Waldron's friend, Leeann Mitchell, tried in vain to drag her to safety during the attack and has been left deeply traumatised.
The two had reportedly gone on holiday to celebrate the end of Ms Mitchell's cancer treatment.
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