❓ Mr. Love asks about government protection for WA small businesses from extremist animal activist groups. The Minister responds by highlighting government condemnation of such behaviour and ongoing efforts to protect small businesses.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ANIMAL ACTIVISM — SMALL BUSINESSES
279. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Small Business:
I refer to recent incidents of extreme activist behaviour
across Australia, and I draw the minister's attention to the fate of
the Gippy Goat Cafe in Victoria that was forced to close its doors permanently
after months of constant threats and harassment.
(1) What steps
has the state government taken to protect Western Australian small businesses
that are operating legally from these extremist groups?
(2) Has this support been communicated to Western Australia's
small business sector?
279. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Small Business:
I refer to recent incidents of extreme activist behaviour
across Australia, and I draw the minister's attention to the fate of
the Gippy Goat Cafe in Victoria that was forced to close its doors permanently
after months of constant threats and harassment.
(1) What steps
has the state government taken to protect Western Australian small businesses
that are operating legally from these extremist groups?
(2) Has this support been communicated to Western Australia's
small business sector?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question.
(1)–(2)
I think there have been several responses to this matter by the Premier, the
Minister for Police and even the Attorney General. As the member knows, we, as
a government, condemn this sort of behaviour. We have defended our farmers and
our other small businesses. I hear the Premier doing it all the time. In fact,
only yesterday I was at a press conference where the Premier responded to a question
about this matter. He stated publicly that there should be no disruption of
small businesses like cafes and farms. He condemned it and we will use the full
force of the law to respond to it. The Attorney General is investigating
alternative measures to increase the response.
That
aside, I do not think there has been any shortage of response to our small
business community about the matter. We as a government absolutely condemn that
sort of behaviour. We absolutely defend our small businesses and a farmer's
right to carry out lawful activities. I find it extraordinary that the member
would refer to a cafe in Victoria as though I am somehow going to be able to
give him some detailed response about that matter. It is interesting that the
member is grasping for matters. I commend him for his innovation in searching
out any matter around the nation that we may be able to comment on, but I assure
members that we are responding to this matter as appropriate and using all the
powers of the government and the law.
(1)–(2)
I think there have been several responses to this matter by the Premier, the
Minister for Police and even the Attorney General. As the member knows, we, as
a government, condemn this sort of behaviour. We have defended our farmers and
our other small businesses. I hear the Premier doing it all the time. In fact,
only yesterday I was at a press conference where the Premier responded to a question
about this matter. He stated publicly that there should be no disruption of
small businesses like cafes and farms. He condemned it and we will use the full
force of the law to respond to it. The Attorney General is investigating
alternative measures to increase the response.
That
aside, I do not think there has been any shortage of response to our small
business community about the matter. We as a government absolutely condemn that
sort of behaviour. We absolutely defend our small businesses and a farmer's
right to carry out lawful activities. I find it extraordinary that the member
would refer to a cafe in Victoria as though I am somehow going to be able to
give him some detailed response about that matter. It is interesting that the
member is grasping for matters. I commend him for his innovation in searching
out any matter around the nation that we may be able to comment on, but I assure
members that we are responding to this matter as appropriate and using all the
powers of the government and the law.
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