❓ Hon Norman Moore, on behalf of Hon Bill Stretch, asks the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry about government assistance for Diggers Rest pastoral holding after Cyclone Ingrid caused significant stock losses. The Minister acknowledges the tragedy but expresses limitations on government assistance, citing insurance market distortion concerns.
AnsweredQoN 94Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
On behalf of Hon Bill Stretch I ask - (1) Is the minister aware of the serious flooding and stock losses on Diggers Rest pastoral holding in the east Kimberley as a result of cyclone Ingrid? (2) Is he aware that the Boer goats that died numbering approximately 800 were the nucleus of a project to supply valuable animals for the export market? (3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(1) Is the minister aware of the serious flooding and stock losses on Diggers Rest pastoral holding in the east Kimberley as a result of cyclone Ingrid? (2) Is he aware that the Boer goats that died numbering approximately 800 were the nucleus of a project to supply valuable animals for the export market? (3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(2) Is he aware that the Boer goats that died numbering approximately 800 were the nucleus of a project to supply valuable animals for the export market? (3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(1) Is the minister aware of the serious flooding and stock losses on Diggers Rest pastoral holding in the east Kimberley as a result of cyclone Ingrid? (2) Is he aware that the Boer goats that died numbering approximately 800 were the nucleus of a project to supply valuable animals for the export market? (3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(2) Is he aware that the Boer goats that died numbering approximately 800 were the nucleus of a project to supply valuable animals for the export market? (3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(3) As the operation has now lost its main income source until the herd can be rebuilt, will the minister consider expediting appropriate government assistance to the family involved to supplement the voluntary help already being raised by the local community; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
(1)-(3) I am aware of the tragedy that occurred at Diggers Rest and the loss of some 800 goats or the nucleus of the Boer goat herd on that station. Although it is distressing when anything like this happens, the capacity of governments to act as an insurer for one-off events is very limited. I wish that the government were able to provide assistance when matters like this occur, just as I wish we were able to provide more help for those people in the south of the state who had very significant losses. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to do that, nor do we any longer have the capacity to make special purpose loans such as the state was able to do when we had the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation facility. That facility has long gone. I am afraid there is not much we can do. With the instance of the damage to farmer’s incomes resulting from the extraordinary rain event in the south of the state, I am exploring options with the Department of Agriculture to see what we can do, and it is possible that we may be able to do something akin to what we have done for the farmers caught in bushfires in the Kukerin and Dumbleyung area. I could possibly have a look at providing something of that kind for the proprietor on the station at Diggers Rest. Governments need to be careful about becoming involved in these situations. These tend to be insurable losses, and when a government steps in in place of the insurer, it distorts the market. As tragic as these events are, there is a limit on what the government can do. However, we are happy to discuss the matter with the proprietor at Diggers Rest. I would be disappointed if discussions had not already started with the Department of Agriculture at Kununurra.
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