❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Premier about funding for the state barrier fence extension to protect farmers from wild dog attacks. The Premier acknowledges the issue, mentions existing budget allocations, and highlights other investments in the Esperance region.
AnsweredQoN 1020Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WILD DOGS —
STATE BARRIER FENCE
1020. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
After hearing the impassioned speeches
of the members for Maylands, Belmont and Balcatta on animal welfare last week
and now the seeming indifference of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to
commence extending the state barrier fence to Esperance, despite the
Environmental Protection Authority recommending the proposal may be implemented
—
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Sport and Recreation, I call you to order for the first time. Start again.
Mr P.J. RUNDLE : After hearing
the impassioned speeches of the members for Maylands, Belmont and Balcatta on
animal welfare last week and now the seeming indifference of the Minister for
Agriculture and Food to commence extending the state barrier fence to
Esperance, despite the EPA recommending the proposal may be implemented, I ask —
(1) Will the
Premier instruct his minister to release funds for project work to begin to
halt the rapid intrusion of wild dogs in the south?
(2) Does the
Premier understand the mental health issues farmers of this area are facing as
a result of continual attacks on their livestock?
(3) Given the $60
million underspend of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development last financial year, will the Premier instruct his minister to get
on with this project?
STATE BARRIER FENCE
1020. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
After hearing the impassioned speeches
of the members for Maylands, Belmont and Balcatta on animal welfare last week
and now the seeming indifference of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to
commence extending the state barrier fence to Esperance, despite the
Environmental Protection Authority recommending the proposal may be implemented
—
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Sport and Recreation, I call you to order for the first time. Start again.
Mr P.J. RUNDLE : After hearing
the impassioned speeches of the members for Maylands, Belmont and Balcatta on
animal welfare last week and now the seeming indifference of the Minister for
Agriculture and Food to commence extending the state barrier fence to
Esperance, despite the EPA recommending the proposal may be implemented, I ask —
(1) Will the
Premier instruct his minister to release funds for project work to begin to
halt the rapid intrusion of wild dogs in the south?
(2) Does the
Premier understand the mental health issues farmers of this area are facing as
a result of continual attacks on their livestock?
(3) Given the $60
million underspend of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development last financial year, will the Premier instruct his minister to get
on with this project?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
thank the member for the question. To the best of my recollection, the budget
has something like $6 million or $7 million allocated for the barrier fence to
deal with wild dogs. As I understand it, the Minister for Agriculture and Food
is working on various options to undertake this project and is certainly
working on the federal government to make a contribution to this project
because the cost of it is greater than the $6 million or $7 million that we
have allocated. I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who has mental
health issues, whatever the cause might be. If there is an issue, I would urge
the member in particular to seek some support as well from the federal
government towards this project so that it is not entirely a state responsibility.
Whilst I am at it, I have been to the
member's electorate a couple of times over the course of this year. As
the member knows, we are doing a great deal in his electorate—a great
deal in Esperance. When I was there, I had a look at the plans for the new
sporting facility and basketball courts worth $4 million or $5 million, as I recall.
I had a look at the plans for the new TAFE buildings worth $16 million or $17 million,
as I recall. The member might also recall that this government assured that 400
jobs were preserved in his electorate via our work with Mineral Resources
Limited to preserve the jobs that were going to be lost from Cliffs. I am very
proud of the work that we have done in Esperance and the great southern and the
member's electorate in particular to ensure that there are jobs,
opportunities and good social opportunities for the people of that area.
thank the member for the question. To the best of my recollection, the budget
has something like $6 million or $7 million allocated for the barrier fence to
deal with wild dogs. As I understand it, the Minister for Agriculture and Food
is working on various options to undertake this project and is certainly
working on the federal government to make a contribution to this project
because the cost of it is greater than the $6 million or $7 million that we
have allocated. I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who has mental
health issues, whatever the cause might be. If there is an issue, I would urge
the member in particular to seek some support as well from the federal
government towards this project so that it is not entirely a state responsibility.
Whilst I am at it, I have been to the
member's electorate a couple of times over the course of this year. As
the member knows, we are doing a great deal in his electorate—a great
deal in Esperance. When I was there, I had a look at the plans for the new
sporting facility and basketball courts worth $4 million or $5 million, as I recall.
I had a look at the plans for the new TAFE buildings worth $16 million or $17 million,
as I recall. The member might also recall that this government assured that 400
jobs were preserved in his electorate via our work with Mineral Resources
Limited to preserve the jobs that were going to be lost from Cliffs. I am very
proud of the work that we have done in Esperance and the great southern and the
member's electorate in particular to ensure that there are jobs,
opportunities and good social opportunities for the people of that area.
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