❓ Question regarding government approval for the Shire of Capel to lease the Boyanup saleyards to WALSA, particularly concerning open access arrangements and an ACCC investigation. The Minister acknowledges the issue, supports the lease, and awaits the ACCC's findings.
AnsweredQoN 342Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BOYANUP SALEYARD
342. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the minister's
response to question without notice 490 asked in the Legislative Council on 20
May 2020 and the current considerations by the Shire of Capel to lease the
Boyanup saleyards to the Western Australian Livestock Salesman's
Association.
(1) Is government
approval for the Shire of Capel to lease the saleyards to WALSA conditional on
more open access arrangements being put in place?
(2) If yes to
(1), what access arrangements has the government specified and what mechanisms
has the government put in place to ensure that this occurs?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Given that
the current access arrangements at the saleyards are the subject of an
investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, why has
the minister given approval for the leasing process to proceed?
342. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the minister's
response to question without notice 490 asked in the Legislative Council on 20
May 2020 and the current considerations by the Shire of Capel to lease the
Boyanup saleyards to the Western Australian Livestock Salesman's
Association.
(1) Is government
approval for the Shire of Capel to lease the saleyards to WALSA conditional on
more open access arrangements being put in place?
(2) If yes to
(1), what access arrangements has the government specified and what mechanisms
has the government put in place to ensure that this occurs?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Given that
the current access arrangements at the saleyards are the subject of an
investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, why has
the minister given approval for the leasing process to proceed?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the
question.
(1)–(4) As the member is aware, the saleyards are on
state-owned land that is vested in the shire and the shire leases the
land to the current lessee, WALSA. We have supported the proposal for a new
lease, and we will continue to support that. Obviously, everyone would like
more open access, but there has to be a degree of commerciality around
business. We have emphasised the need for the facility to meet current animal
welfare standards, and we understand that that will be embedded in the new
arrangements. I am not sure that there is an
investigation. I think the matter has certainly been referred to the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission.
The act of referral alone, of course, cannot be taken as evidence of
anti-competitive conduct. But if the ACCC is investigating, we will
await its report.
question.
(1)–(4) As the member is aware, the saleyards are on
state-owned land that is vested in the shire and the shire leases the
land to the current lessee, WALSA. We have supported the proposal for a new
lease, and we will continue to support that. Obviously, everyone would like
more open access, but there has to be a degree of commerciality around
business. We have emphasised the need for the facility to meet current animal
welfare standards, and we understand that that will be embedded in the new
arrangements. I am not sure that there is an
investigation. I think the matter has certainly been referred to the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission.
The act of referral alone, of course, cannot be taken as evidence of
anti-competitive conduct. But if the ACCC is investigating, we will
await its report.
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