❓ Hon. Amanda Dorn questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding a wild donkey cull at Kachana Station, focusing on research review, non-lethal management options, and alternative management plans. The Minister clarifies the responsible department and refers to existing legislation and a recent review.
AnsweredQoN 1244Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Wild donkey cull—Kachana station
1244. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the Minister for the Agriculture and Food:
My question is to
the Minister for the Environment.
I refer to the
recent State Administrative Tribunal decision requiring the culling of more
than 100 wild donkeys at Kachana Station in the Kimberley.
(1) Has the Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) reviewed the 20 years of research provided
by the landholders on the ecological role of confined wild donkeys and, if not,
why not?
(2) Will the minister review whether the current
act provides a clear pathway for a pastoralist to action nonlethal management
options?
(3) Will the minister review whether the current
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act framework provides a mechanism for
pastoralists to propose alternative management plans supported by scientific
monitoring and containment systems?
1244. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the Minister for the Agriculture and Food:
My question is to
the Minister for the Environment.
I refer to the
recent State Administrative Tribunal decision requiring the culling of more
than 100 wild donkeys at Kachana Station in the Kimberley.
(1) Has the Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) reviewed the 20 years of research provided
by the landholders on the ecological role of confined wild donkeys and, if not,
why not?
(2) Will the minister review whether the current
act provides a clear pathway for a pastoralist to action nonlethal management
options?
(3) Will the minister review whether the current
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act framework provides a mechanism for
pastoralists to propose alternative management plans supported by scientific
monitoring and containment systems?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
Honourable member,
the question refers to a State Administrative Tribunal decision, which was
instigated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
(DPIRD). The member has referenced DBCA, but the question has been referred to
me because it deals with that matter.
(1)–(3) The State Administrative
Tribunal's decision in October 2025 related to Kachana Station contesting a
pest control notice applied by the Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development (DPIRD). Pest control notices are issued by DPIRD under
the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act
2007 —the BAM act. The BAM act and its associated regulations provide
for several control options to manage the impact of declared pests. Landholders
are responsible for the management of declared pests on their land in
accordance with the act, noting that a person must not keep, breed or cultivate
a declared pest. Donkeys may be kept on land where they meet the requirements
as managed livestock, including control fencing and livestock identification.
The review of the Biosecurity
and Agriculture Management Act and the Western Australian Government response
was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 23 October 2025.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
Honourable member,
the question refers to a State Administrative Tribunal decision, which was
instigated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
(DPIRD). The member has referenced DBCA, but the question has been referred to
me because it deals with that matter.
(1)–(3) The State Administrative
Tribunal's decision in October 2025 related to Kachana Station contesting a
pest control notice applied by the Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development (DPIRD). Pest control notices are issued by DPIRD under
the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act
2007 —the BAM act. The BAM act and its associated regulations provide
for several control options to manage the impact of declared pests. Landholders
are responsible for the management of declared pests on their land in
accordance with the act, noting that a person must not keep, breed or cultivate
a declared pest. Donkeys may be kept on land where they meet the requirements
as managed livestock, including control fencing and livestock identification.
The review of the Biosecurity
and Agriculture Management Act and the Western Australian Government response
was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 23 October 2025.
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