Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Lands regarding an alleged cattle theft on Youno Downs Pastoral Station, specifically inquiring about investigations, prosecutions, and the eligibility of those involved to hold pastoral leases. The Minister confirms that a person under investigation or prosecuted is still eligible to apply for a pastoral lease.

AnsweredQoN 53Legislative Council
Asked
13 June 2017
Portfolio
Lands

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the alleged theft of cattle that occurred in December 2016 on the Youno Downs Pastoral Station and the eight photographs found at:
http://www.robinchapple.com/qdata
, dated 24/05/2017, and ask:
(a) is the Minister aware of the alleged theft;
(b) if no to (a), why not;
(c) does the Minister know if there has been an investigation of the alleged theft;
(d) if no to (c), why not;
(e) does the Minister know if there is a prosecution underway;
(f) if no to (e), why not;
(g) does the Minister know if the person/persons under investigation have made any applications for a pastoral lease/leases;
(h) if no to (g), why not;
(i) if a person is under investigation are they still eligible to apply for a pastoral lease;
(j) if yes to (i), why;
(k) if a person is prosecuted are they still eligible to apply for a pastoral lease;
(l) if yes to (k), why;
(m) if a pastoral lease is granted whilst a person is under investigation and is then prosecuted is the pastoral lease revoked; and
(n) if no to (m), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 August 2017
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Lands
Response time
9 days
(i)-(l) Yes. A pastoral lessee’s interest in a pastoral lease may be transferred with the consent of the Minister for Lands, and the Minister must not unreasonably refuse to approve a transfer. Any person may seek the Minister’s consent for a transfer, and the Minister will consider each such application on its merits, taking account of the bona fides of the applicant. (m) No. (n) Stock theft is a criminal offence that carries penalties under the Criminal Code. In certain cases the State may apply to seize a convicted offender’s property under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000. However, any confiscated pastoral leases would most likely not be revoked but sold and transferred to alternative ownership.
(m) No. (n) Stock theft is a criminal offence that carries penalties under the Criminal Code. In certain cases the State may apply to seize a convicted offender’s property under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000. However, any confiscated pastoral leases would most likely not be revoked but sold and transferred to alternative ownership.
(n) Stock theft is a criminal offence that carries penalties under the Criminal Code. In certain cases the State may apply to seize a convicted offender’s property under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000. However, any confiscated pastoral leases would most likely not be revoked but sold and transferred to alternative ownership.

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