❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister regarding the use of DPIRD pest density reports by WA Police in determining firearm restrictions, following reports that DPIRD staff deny the existence of such reports. The Minister clarifies DPIRD provided preliminary data and directs to publicly available resources.
AnsweredQoN 2148Legislative Council
Asked
21 August 2024
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to letters sent to licensed firearms owners in Western Australia, from the Western Australian Police Firearm Reform Division, which state that, and I quote, "WA Police will apply the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) pest density distribution reports and the humane destruction of animal guidelines when determining the maximum permitted calibre and the number of Written Authorities", and I ask: (a) is the Minister aware DPIRD staff are advising landowners that these pest density distribution reports do not exist, and that DPIRD does not keep records regarding pest density distribution; (b) is DPIRD currently developing pest density reports, and will they be publicly available prior to the commencement of the new firearms laws; (c) please table any current pest density distribution reports; and (d) please table DPIRD's humane destruction of animal guidelines?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2024
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business
Response time
8 days
(a) – (c) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) provided WA Police with preliminary data on the distribution of animal pest species to inform the regulation for the firearms Act 2024 and will continue to work with WA Police on the most effective method of providing information on pest distribution.
I note that Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry produce a Pest Animal and Weed Management Survey which includes publicly available interactive maps on pest animal distribution.
DPIRD encourages landholders and members of the public to report Category 3 (widespread and established) pests to the FeralScan website ( https://www.feralscan.org.au ), which is an online tool for mapping pest occurrence, damage, and control across the nation. These maps are publicly available.
(d) DPIRD uses the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ standard operating procedure “Use of firearms for the humane destruction of animals”, which is publicly available. I table a copy.
I note that Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry produce a Pest Animal and Weed Management Survey which includes publicly available interactive maps on pest animal distribution.
DPIRD encourages landholders and members of the public to report Category 3 (widespread and established) pests to the FeralScan website ( https://www.feralscan.org.au ), which is an online tool for mapping pest occurrence, damage, and control across the nation. These maps are publicly available.
(d) DPIRD uses the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ standard operating procedure “Use of firearms for the humane destruction of animals”, which is publicly available. I table a copy.
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