Hon Jim Chown questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the costs and accountability related to animal welfare issues on Noonkanbah Station and Yandeyarra Reserve. The Minister provides cost estimates and confirms ongoing investigations.

AnsweredQoN 564Legislative Council
Asked
5 June 2019
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

ANIMAL WELFARE —
CATTLE DEATHS —NOONKANBAH STATION AND YANDEYARRA RESERVE
564. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) What has been
the total cost to the public purse to date in the management and rectification
of animal welfare issues experienced on Noonkanbah station and Yandeyarra
reserve?
(2) When can the
public expect charges to be laid against the individuals responsible for the
unprecedented animal cruelty that has taken place on Noonkanbah station and
Yandeyarra reserve?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
(1) The total
cost incurred to date by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development in its response to the animal welfare incident at Yandeyarra
reserve is currently estimated at $549 147, exclusive of GST. This figure is
inclusive of pastoral coordinator fees, the costs of some bore works and the
humane destruction of livestock. This figure does not include DPIRD staff wages
and costs. In addition, I am aware that a sum of $218 453.19, inclusive of GST,
has been paid out of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority emergency fund
for additional bore works. The state will seek recovery of costs for these
expenses.
The total cost incurred by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in its response to
the animal welfare incident at Noonkanbah station is currently estimated at
$100 000, having not changed from the figure provided in the response to
question without notice 186 on 14 March 2019.
(2) Investigations
into the two incidents are continuing. I have instructed the department to
apply the full resourcing of DPIRD into the investigation.

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