❓ WA Minister for Agriculture addresses concerns about Australia Post's refusal to allow quarantine screening of interstate mail containing plant material, citing a legal conflict and ongoing efforts to resolve the issue with the Commonwealth government.
AnsweredQoN 1366Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I understand that Australia Post is reluctant to allow mail orders for bulbs and other plant species that are sent from the eastern States or from online-based nurseries to be screened by Western Australian quarantine services. (1) What action is the minister taking to rectify this situation? (2) Has the minister consulted with Australia Post regarding this issue? (3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(1) What action is the minister taking to rectify this situation? (2) Has the minister consulted with Australia Post regarding this issue? (3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(2) Has the minister consulted with Australia Post regarding this issue? (3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(1) What action is the minister taking to rectify this situation? (2) Has the minister consulted with Australia Post regarding this issue? (3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(2) Has the minister consulted with Australia Post regarding this issue? (3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(3) When did this process begin? (4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(4) When does the minister foresee Australia Post allowing the Western Australian quarantine services to screen mail order deliveries of bulbs and other plant species? (5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(5) Does the minister agree that the current situation poses a significant biosecurity risk and could potentially have a devastating impact on WA’s agricultural and horticultural industries? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for asking this question. I assure honourable members that I did not put the honourable member up to the question. I congratulate her for working through the issues, which indicate just how serious a problem this is. (1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(1) The issue with quarantine checking of domestic mail is due to a legal conflict between the Australian Postal Corporation Act and the Western Australian Plant Diseases Act. Australia Post, acting on legal advice, has refused the opening of interstate postal items by quarantine inspectors for the purpose of inspection. There has been extensive correspondence with the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as well as Hon Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture, and Hon Richard Alston, the former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, asking for their intervention and a rapid resolution to what is a highly unsatisfactory situation. Recently, Premier Gallop has written to Senator Alston seeking an immediate resolution of this problem. I asked the Premier whether he would intervene simply because we got to a point of frustration where we just did not believe that the federal ministers were hearing us. (2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(2) Yes. (3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(3) 1999. This process was actually started by my predecessor. Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon Dee Margetts: 1999? Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. I have viewed the correspondence from my predecessor to the federal ministers. We have been running a consistent and insistent line to the Commonwealth that this is a serious problem and must be sorted out. (4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
(4) An amendment to the Australian Postal Corporation Act is required. Several strategies are being pursued to secure the needed change to the commonwealth legislation. I am also writing to all Western Australian senators to seek their assistance in lobbying the new Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Hon Daryl Williams, to progress the necessary legislative amendment as rapidly as possible. (5) Yes, the current situation poses a biosecurity risk - a very serious biosecurity risk. To minimise the risk, at least to some extent, quarantine inspectors attach a note to a parcel identified as potentially containing quarantine-risk material, with a request for the receiver to arrange for an inspection. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but that is the only option available to state authorities while the Commonwealth holds this position. This is currently the only legally allowable option without opening the items, which the quarantine authorities are not allowed to do.
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