❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the adequacy and management of federal funding allocated for the live sheep export transition, and the inclusion of mental health support. The Minister acknowledges the funding increase, emphasizes support for sheep producers, and highlights ongoing advocacy for regional communities.
AnsweredQoN 1189Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LIVE EXPORT — FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICY
1189. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the $32.7 million in
increased live sheep transition funding announced by the federal government.
(1) Is it the Cook Labor government's position
that the amount of federal funding now allocated for this purpose is
sufficient?
(2) Will the
state government directly manage any of this $32.7 million; and, if so, how
much and what for?
(3) Does funding,
as reported in The West Australian , for financial counselling and
community wellbeing include mental health support?
(4) Does the funding in (3) acknowledge that the live
sheep trade ban will have a significant negative financial and mental
impact on Western Australians?
1189. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the $32.7 million in
increased live sheep transition funding announced by the federal government.
(1) Is it the Cook Labor government's position
that the amount of federal funding now allocated for this purpose is
sufficient?
(2) Will the
state government directly manage any of this $32.7 million; and, if so, how
much and what for?
(3) Does funding,
as reported in The West Australian , for financial counselling and
community wellbeing include mental health support?
(4) Does the funding in (3) acknowledge that the live
sheep trade ban will have a significant negative financial and mental
impact on Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The
Cook government has been clear and consistent from the start. Although we do
not support the ending of the export of live sheep, legislation has passed, and
I am focused on what we can do between now and 2028 to support sheep producers.
I have worked with industry to advocate for additional funding as part of a transition package and welcome the increased
funding from $107 million to $139.7 million. We know that industry would like more, but this is a step
in the right direction, which allows us to get money out the door for
the transition. The commonwealth has today announced funding to increase
processing capacity and for community wellbeing support. The Cook government
backs our farmers and will continue to do what is right for our regional
communities.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The
Cook government has been clear and consistent from the start. Although we do
not support the ending of the export of live sheep, legislation has passed, and
I am focused on what we can do between now and 2028 to support sheep producers.
I have worked with industry to advocate for additional funding as part of a transition package and welcome the increased
funding from $107 million to $139.7 million. We know that industry would like more, but this is a step
in the right direction, which allows us to get money out the door for
the transition. The commonwealth has today announced funding to increase
processing capacity and for community wellbeing support. The Cook government
backs our farmers and will continue to do what is right for our regional
communities.
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