❓ Hon Bruce Donaldson asks about the timeline for amendments to the Pearling Act. Hon Jon Ford responds that the process is complex due to industry divisions and restructuring, requiring consultation with the Northern Territory and consideration of various proposals.
AnsweredQoN 671Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PEARLING ACT - AMENDMENTS
(1) When will the pearling bill be introduced into Parliament? (2) Will it be in this spring session? (3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD
(1) When will the pearling bill be introduced into Parliament? (2) Will it be in this spring session? (3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(2) Will it be in this spring session? (3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(2) Will it be in this spring session? (3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(3) Has cabinet given approval yet for the bill to go to print? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
(1)-(3) Members may be aware that I am undertaking an overhaul of the Pearling Act 1990. This is a complex and involved process that will take some time, especially given the diversity and divided opinion within the industry about the nature of reform. Hon Bruce Donaldson will be aware that the industry itself has drafted its own bill. This bill will not be introduced into the Parliament. Since the creation of the existing Pearling Act, the industry has changed. Where once it was reliant on wild stock, it is now dependent on the technology of its hatcheries. Even the structure of the industry has changed. Since I announced to industry my intention to review the legislative framework, there has been major commercial restructuring, with fewer participants. I must assess the effect that these proposed reforms will have on the diversity and uniqueness of this industry in light of this restructure. While the focus of the proposed reforms will be around the new hatchery guidelines, I must be able to guarantee that local diversity in the industry is preserved and that the Western Australian industry and jobs are protected. Overhauling the pearling industry will be a complex legislative reform and I will keep the honourable member informed of the progress. We cannot do anything without the Northern Territory government. I need to confer with our Northern Territory colleagues on anything that I am of a mind to do or support that is recommended to me by industry. That creates quite a bit of time lag, probably because there are a couple of different pearling participants in the Northern Territory waters compared to WA. The position of the pearling industry is that three proposals are being put up: firstly, to keep the door shut and let no more people in; secondly, open the door for a minute and let a few more in and then close the door behind them; or, thirdly, completely open the door and let everybody participate in a free market. Depending on who we talk to, although I get consistent advice from my management advisory committee, it is like any other fishery. Immediately afterwards I have all the players telling me their different views - accept that bit of advice but not that bit of advice. It is quite an interesting subject because, although it comes under fisheries, to draw an analogy, we are talking about a gem. In other words, its market value can be compared with that of a diamond; it is very subjective. However, we will continue to work on it. I hope that I can take a draft proposal to cabinet about October and see how it goes from there.
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