❓ Question regarding the potential use of prisoner labour for herbicide spraying in the Kimberley region, specifically addressing safety, training, and ethical concerns. The Minister denies the proposed activity.
AnsweredQoN 1356Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HERBICIDE SPRAYING IN THE KIMBERLEY, USE OF PRISONER LABOUR
I refer to reports that the Agriculture Protection Board is considering using prison labourers to undertake herbicide spraying in the Kimberley. (1) Has the board approached the Department of Justice to assess whether prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility Derby should be used to undertake herbicide spraying for weed control in the Fitzroy Valley? (2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to reports that the Agriculture Protection Board is considering using prison labourers to undertake herbicide spraying in the Kimberley. (1) Has the board approached the Department of Justice to assess whether prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility Derby should be used to undertake herbicide spraying for weed control in the Fitzroy Valley? (2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
(1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(1) Has the board approached the Department of Justice to assess whether prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility Derby should be used to undertake herbicide spraying for weed control in the Fitzroy Valley? (2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(1) Has the board approached the Department of Justice to assess whether prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility Derby should be used to undertake herbicide spraying for weed control in the Fitzroy Valley? (2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(2) If the answer to question (1) is yes, will the minister table a copy of that correspondence? (3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(3) Will any such prisoners be given aptitude tests, appropriate training and a pest operator’s licence or other licensing as required under the relevant legislation? (4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(4) Will the minister table a list of any herbicides or other chemicals to which these prisoners will be exposed in the course of spraying operations? (5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(5) Will prisoners be given the opportunity of not participating in this program, or will that participation be mandatory? (6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(6) Will the minister guarantee to the House that such a program will not be contemplated and state whether he considers this an appropriate use of prison labourers? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(1) No. The Agriculture Protection Board has no operational function. All animal and pest management services are provided for the APB by the Department of Agriculture. I understand that the Department of Justice has sought opportunities for prisoners from the Bungarun Correctional Facility to be involved in community service activities. Some prisoners have been involved in manual control of Noogoora burr at tourist access points along the Fitzroy River. (2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(2) Not applicable. (3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(3) No chemical use has been or will be considered. (4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(4)-(5) Not applicable. (6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
(6) The Department of Agriculture will not be party to any activity involving chemical use. I would be really surprised if the member thought it might after what has happened. The department will continue to provide advice to the Department of Justice regarding community service activities that may be appropriate to its programs. Any prisoner involvement in such activities will be a decision of the Department of Justice and will be controlled and supervised by it.
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