❓ The WA parliament discusses the closure of Parkeston Marshalling Yards and its impact on pastoral development on the Nullarbor, focusing on the decline of livestock transport by rail since privatisation and the government's decision to relocate quarantine yards.
AnsweredQoN 767Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In answer to my earlier question - given the number 757 - the minister stated that the stock entering on rail through Kalgoorlie is a small volume. However, pastoral properties that were developed on the Nullarbor were encouraged to do so with the knowledge that rail would service those properties. Indeed, permanent infrastructure was built in many places to do so. Since privatisation, Australian Southern Railways has downgraded those services. Does the minister not agree that the removal of the Parkeston Marshalling Yards would prevent any rail usage in the future and would, therefore, be to the extreme detriment of further pastoral development on the Nullarbor? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
For honourable members to understand the full context of this series of questions, they need to go back to some questions that Hon John Fischer asked six or seven months ago, I think, in which I advised that the Government is not the owner of the land on which the Parkeston yards are located. Indeed, the owner of that land does not want the Government to maintain those yards any further. The Government’s lease is terminating. The Government has very little choice and that is why the last question asked by Hon John Fischer on this matter today related to whether the Government was interested in compulsorily acquiring that land. I think Hon John Fischer well understands that. Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: For honourable members to understand the full context of this series of questions, they need to go back to some questions that Hon John Fischer asked six or seven months ago, I think, in which I advised that the Government is not the owner of the land on which the Parkeston yards are located. Indeed, the owner of that land does not want the Government to maintain those yards any further. The Government’s lease is terminating. The Government has very little choice and that is why the last question asked by Hon John Fischer on this matter today related to whether the Government was interested in compulsorily acquiring that land. I think Hon John Fischer well understands that. Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
For honourable members to understand the full context of this series of questions, they need to go back to some questions that Hon John Fischer asked six or seven months ago, I think, in which I advised that the Government is not the owner of the land on which the Parkeston yards are located. Indeed, the owner of that land does not want the Government to maintain those yards any further. The Government’s lease is terminating. The Government has very little choice and that is why the last question asked by Hon John Fischer on this matter today related to whether the Government was interested in compulsorily acquiring that land. I think Hon John Fischer well understands that. Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: For honourable members to understand the full context of this series of questions, they need to go back to some questions that Hon John Fischer asked six or seven months ago, I think, in which I advised that the Government is not the owner of the land on which the Parkeston yards are located. Indeed, the owner of that land does not want the Government to maintain those yards any further. The Government’s lease is terminating. The Government has very little choice and that is why the last question asked by Hon John Fischer on this matter today related to whether the Government was interested in compulsorily acquiring that land. I think Hon John Fischer well understands that. Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
For honourable members to understand the full context of this series of questions, they need to go back to some questions that Hon John Fischer asked six or seven months ago, I think, in which I advised that the Government is not the owner of the land on which the Parkeston yards are located. Indeed, the owner of that land does not want the Government to maintain those yards any further. The Government’s lease is terminating. The Government has very little choice and that is why the last question asked by Hon John Fischer on this matter today related to whether the Government was interested in compulsorily acquiring that land. I think Hon John Fischer well understands that. Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Since the privatisation of the rail system in Western Australia, virtually no livestock is carried into Kalgoorlie by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: What difference does that make? Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: The operators of the rail have determined that they do not want to carry livestock by rail. Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: It has been years since livestock was carried by rail in Western Australia. Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: No. Livestock was carried out of the Nullarbor into Kalgoorlie. Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Murray Criddle: It’s not our system. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! The Leader of the House should answer the question by Hon John Fischer, not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Perhaps I should have been clearer. Since the Commonwealth Government determined to privatise its part of the rail system - Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Norman Moore interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: If it was taken that I meant the State Government, I am sorry. I did not actually say the State Government. Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon Norman Moore: You know exactly what you meant. Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
Hon KIM CHANCE: It is the privatisation of the rail system and, in this instance, the commonwealth component of that. Since that privatisation, the decision of the current operators of that part of the commonwealth-owned rail in Western Australia has been to not continue to carry livestock. I doubt that the current operators of the commonwealth component of the rail system in Western Australia will reverse their decision. Consequently, given that and the fact that we are no longer able to occupy the land at Parkeston, we have made a decision to locate the quarantine yards at a point that is more amenable to the way livestock is carried in Western Australia, particularly the large volume of livestock that is carried on the Central Desert highway. It will also cater for the livestock coming from the Eyre Highway past where the Norseman yards were. As a result of those two decisions, I think it is unlikely that we will see a continuation of the link between the yards and rail. Notwithstanding that, it is still possible for stock to be transported by rail into Kalgoorlie and loaded directly onto trucks. If that were thought to be a proposition in the future, it could be done.
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