Question regarding the reduction of boat operating licenses at Monkey Mia and its potential impact on dolphin conservation, competition, and tourism costs. The Minister confirms some aspects and denies others.

AnsweredQoN 1291Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 August 2006
Portfolio
the Environment

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does the Minister concede that the report by Dr Lars Beijder regarding boat operating licences at Monkey Mia provided five options of which three allowed for both operators to continue whilst simultaneously reducing the impact on dolphins?
(2) Did the Department of Conservation and Land Management recommend keeping two licences or cutting the licences to one?
(3) Will the Minister table the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s full recommendation on the issuance of commercial operators’ licenses at Monkey Mia?
(4) Does the Minister recognise that having only one licence is anti-competitive resulting in higher prices for Western Australian families and tourists on holiday at Monkey Mia?
(5) Can the Minister confirm that the Queensland-based company Quicksilver has shown a keen interest in the licence currently open for tender?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
19 September 2006
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
35 days
(2) The Department recommended keeping two licences, while other advice received, including that of the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority recommended moving to one license. (3) Yes [see table paper no.] (4) The reduction to one licence obviously reduces competition but this will not necessarily result in higher tour prices. (5) No.
(3) Yes [see table paper no.] (4) The reduction to one licence obviously reduces competition but this will not necessarily result in higher tour prices. (5) No.
(4) The reduction to one licence obviously reduces competition but this will not necessarily result in higher tour prices. (5) No.
(5) No.

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