❓ Mr Catania raises concerns about drought conditions in the southern rangelands and animal welfare. The Premier outlines government initiatives including seeking federal funding, research, water carting, financial assistance, and agistment process improvements.
AnsweredQoN 971Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DROUGHT — SOUTHERN RANGELANDS
971. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I refer to the appalling, distressing conditions for
pastoralists detailed in today's The West Australian story
titled ''The Forgotten Drought''. What immediate action is the
government taking to support pastoralists in the southern rangelands so they
can address the now critical animal welfare issues brought on by drought
conditions? As Premier, this is a state animal welfare issue. Cattle are dying
every day.
971. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I refer to the appalling, distressing conditions for
pastoralists detailed in today's The West Australian story
titled ''The Forgotten Drought''. What immediate action is the
government taking to support pastoralists in the southern rangelands so they
can address the now critical animal welfare issues brought on by drought
conditions? As Premier, this is a state animal welfare issue. Cattle are dying
every day.
AnswerView source ↗
It is a serious issue and that is why I outlined some
initiatives earlier, and I will treat it with the seriousness it deserves. We
are finalising a list of priority drought initiatives to submit to the federal
government for federal funding. Minister MacTiernan and Minister Kelly met with
the federal ministers at the agriculture ministers' forum last week.
The list of projects includes research and development projects to improve the
feed base and pasture growth, and regenerate degraded and dehydrated
rangelands. The state government has a dry season —
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for North West Central, you have
asked a question; listen to the answer.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Water!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The state government has a dry season
response program underway and we are working closely
with pastoral support, and seasonal management and decisions, and departmental
officers have visited more than 100
pastoral stations across the state since July to provide support, advice and
assistance. The state government has provided additional funding to each
of the three biosecurity groups for dry season pest control. The government is
carting emergency water to the Shires of Lake Grace, Kent and Ravensthorpe to
support livestock producers and animal
welfare needs. We also spent $1.1 million at 18 sites to refurbish and develop
new water supplies, improving dams, catchments and storage of off-stream
strategic emergency livestock water supplies in affected areas.
The farmers who need assistance have access to the farm
household allowance payments, support for farm business training, rural
financial counselling for farmers and small rural businesses, access to farm
management deposits and funding for social supports such as counselling —
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for North West Central!
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Water! The Premier is on his
feet.
Mr M. McGOWAN : —and regional community
development. The pastoralists who are concerned about whether they have
sufficient feed to ensure their animals welfare should contact the Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development's dry season response
group. We are speeding up the agistment process, whereby approved pastoralists
will be able to move stock more quickly between stations, and ensure animals
are safe, with adequate access to food and water.
If people go to the DPIRD website, they will see numerous
initiatives there to provide support. I note that the minister was talking
earlier about our $10 million, or thereabouts, investment in fencing to assist
with wild dogs and other invasive species.
initiatives earlier, and I will treat it with the seriousness it deserves. We
are finalising a list of priority drought initiatives to submit to the federal
government for federal funding. Minister MacTiernan and Minister Kelly met with
the federal ministers at the agriculture ministers' forum last week.
The list of projects includes research and development projects to improve the
feed base and pasture growth, and regenerate degraded and dehydrated
rangelands. The state government has a dry season —
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for North West Central, you have
asked a question; listen to the answer.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Water!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The state government has a dry season
response program underway and we are working closely
with pastoral support, and seasonal management and decisions, and departmental
officers have visited more than 100
pastoral stations across the state since July to provide support, advice and
assistance. The state government has provided additional funding to each
of the three biosecurity groups for dry season pest control. The government is
carting emergency water to the Shires of Lake Grace, Kent and Ravensthorpe to
support livestock producers and animal
welfare needs. We also spent $1.1 million at 18 sites to refurbish and develop
new water supplies, improving dams, catchments and storage of off-stream
strategic emergency livestock water supplies in affected areas.
The farmers who need assistance have access to the farm
household allowance payments, support for farm business training, rural
financial counselling for farmers and small rural businesses, access to farm
management deposits and funding for social supports such as counselling —
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for North West Central!
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Water! The Premier is on his
feet.
Mr M. McGOWAN : —and regional community
development. The pastoralists who are concerned about whether they have
sufficient feed to ensure their animals welfare should contact the Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development's dry season response
group. We are speeding up the agistment process, whereby approved pastoralists
will be able to move stock more quickly between stations, and ensure animals
are safe, with adequate access to food and water.
If people go to the DPIRD website, they will see numerous
initiatives there to provide support. I note that the minister was talking
earlier about our $10 million, or thereabouts, investment in fencing to assist
with wild dogs and other invasive species.
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