❓ Question regarding proposed changes to animal activist trespass laws and their impact on welfare inspector powers, with accusations of stealth tactics. The Attorney General defends the changes as a balanced approach to protecting farmers and animal welfare.
AnsweredQoN 1044Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ANIMAL ACTIVISM —
LEGISLATION
1044. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Attorney General:
I refer to the Attorney General's
comments on ABC radio yesterday regarding drafting changes to his animal
activist trespass laws that will give welfare inspectors extra powers of
property entry.
(1) Has the
Attorney General taken into account the findings of the Standing Committee on
Legislation's inquiry into the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2017,
which found that unfettered powers of entry for designated general inspectors
are unnecessary?
(2) When will the Parliament see
laws responding to activism introduced?
(3) Is the
Attorney General trying to deliver his agriculture minister's failed
animal welfare amendments regarding entry powers by stealth?
LEGISLATION
1044. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Attorney General:
I refer to the Attorney General's
comments on ABC radio yesterday regarding drafting changes to his animal
activist trespass laws that will give welfare inspectors extra powers of
property entry.
(1) Has the
Attorney General taken into account the findings of the Standing Committee on
Legislation's inquiry into the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2017,
which found that unfettered powers of entry for designated general inspectors
are unnecessary?
(2) When will the Parliament see
laws responding to activism introduced?
(3) Is the
Attorney General trying to deliver his agriculture minister's failed
animal welfare amendments regarding entry powers by stealth?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Of
course not. Stealth? I have told the whole public of Western Australia and this
Parliament previously what the government
intends to do. What the government intends to do transparently and openly is
introduce balance into the system—that is, to pass new and stiff
anti-trespass laws for those who trespass upon farmland to interfere with food
production and, at the same time, to balance this with enhanced rights of entry
for inspectors to abattoirs, knackeries and intensive farming.
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you have
a supplementary coming up.
Mr
J.R. QUIGLEY : All of Australia
was appalled after watching the 7.30 report ''The Final Race''.
That caused the government to pause and say, ''Let us be careful that we
have balance here.'' We are going to really make it harsh on those
trespassers who interfere with food production on farming land and protect
farmers in remote areas and we are going to protect the welfare of the animals
in slaughterhouses, knackeries and elsewhere by enhancing the powers of inspection.
I know the member does not like it and I know that the Nationals WA does not
like it, but we say stiff.
course not. Stealth? I have told the whole public of Western Australia and this
Parliament previously what the government
intends to do. What the government intends to do transparently and openly is
introduce balance into the system—that is, to pass new and stiff
anti-trespass laws for those who trespass upon farmland to interfere with food
production and, at the same time, to balance this with enhanced rights of entry
for inspectors to abattoirs, knackeries and intensive farming.
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you have
a supplementary coming up.
Mr
J.R. QUIGLEY : All of Australia
was appalled after watching the 7.30 report ''The Final Race''.
That caused the government to pause and say, ''Let us be careful that we
have balance here.'' We are going to really make it harsh on those
trespassers who interfere with food production on farming land and protect
farmers in remote areas and we are going to protect the welfare of the animals
in slaughterhouses, knackeries and elsewhere by enhancing the powers of inspection.
I know the member does not like it and I know that the Nationals WA does not
like it, but we say stiff.
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