❓ Question regarding WA Police Force's response to animal activist behaviour and meetings with agricultural industry stakeholders. The Minister's response assures that the police are addressing the issue and providing support.
AnsweredQoN 83Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ANIMAL ACTIVISM
83. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food's statement in the other place yesterday on
animal activist behaviour , specifically that the WA Police Force will be
meeting with industry stakeholders to address the matter, including WAFarmers,
the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's
Association.
(1) Who
initiated this meeting, and when was it requested?
(2) Has the
minister sought advice from police on incidents relating to this type of
activity; and, if so, when did the minister ask for that advice?
(3) What has
the minister done to assure herself that current laws are sufficient and police
are appropriately resourced to respond to this escalating pattern of behaviour?
83. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food's statement in the other place yesterday on
animal activist behaviour , specifically that the WA Police Force will be
meeting with industry stakeholders to address the matter, including WAFarmers,
the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's
Association.
(1) Who
initiated this meeting, and when was it requested?
(2) Has the
minister sought advice from police on incidents relating to this type of
activity; and, if so, when did the minister ask for that advice?
(3) What has
the minister done to assure herself that current laws are sufficient and police
are appropriately resourced to respond to this escalating pattern of behaviour?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(3) I have had a couple of conversations with the
Commissioner of Police about this issue, and I think my office has also spoken
to others within the WA Police Force. Specifically, the commissioner has
advised me that Assistant Commissioner Smallpage, who heads up regional
operations, is across this issue. I understand —
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : A very good man.
Mrs M.H.
ROBERTS : Sorry; did you say he is a good man?
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Yes.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : He is a highly
competent, long-serving officer. As you would know, Mr Speaker, he heads up our
operations in regional Western Australia; indeed, I saw Mr Smallpage only
recently in Albany.
The assurance I have received is
that Mr Smallpage is right across this issue and that he has been speaking with
the relevant people. I understand he has set up a meeting for next week that
will include representatives of the PGA and others. The Commissioner of Police
and I have full confidence in Mr Smallpage making sure that farmers and anyone
else who needs support because of the activities that have been happening will
get that support from the Western Australia Police Force.
(1)–(3) I have had a couple of conversations with the
Commissioner of Police about this issue, and I think my office has also spoken
to others within the WA Police Force. Specifically, the commissioner has
advised me that Assistant Commissioner Smallpage, who heads up regional
operations, is across this issue. I understand —
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : A very good man.
Mrs M.H.
ROBERTS : Sorry; did you say he is a good man?
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Yes.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : He is a highly
competent, long-serving officer. As you would know, Mr Speaker, he heads up our
operations in regional Western Australia; indeed, I saw Mr Smallpage only
recently in Albany.
The assurance I have received is
that Mr Smallpage is right across this issue and that he has been speaking with
the relevant people. I understand he has set up a meeting for next week that
will include representatives of the PGA and others. The Commissioner of Police
and I have full confidence in Mr Smallpage making sure that farmers and anyone
else who needs support because of the activities that have been happening will
get that support from the Western Australia Police Force.
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