❓ A parliamentary question addresses the issue of dingoes and wild dogs causing livestock losses in pastoral areas, inquiring about government actions, awareness of the situation in Leonora, land management responsibilities, bounty programs, feedback from a federal committee, and expenditure of allocated funds.
AnsweredQoN 282Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given the ongoing problems with dingoes and wild dogs causing large losses of livestock in pastoral areas and adjacent farming areas - (1) Will the minister inform the house what action is under way to address these issues? (2) Is the minister aware of the situation in the Leonora area, where pastoralists are having to relinquish their sheep operations and switch to cattle because of high losses of stock? (3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(1) Will the minister inform the house what action is under way to address these issues? (2) Is the minister aware of the situation in the Leonora area, where pastoralists are having to relinquish their sheep operations and switch to cattle because of high losses of stock? (3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(2) Is the minister aware of the situation in the Leonora area, where pastoralists are having to relinquish their sheep operations and switch to cattle because of high losses of stock? (3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(1) Will the minister inform the house what action is under way to address these issues? (2) Is the minister aware of the situation in the Leonora area, where pastoralists are having to relinquish their sheep operations and switch to cattle because of high losses of stock? (3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(2) Is the minister aware of the situation in the Leonora area, where pastoralists are having to relinquish their sheep operations and switch to cattle because of high losses of stock? (3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(3) What action are government agencies that are responsible for land management, such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management, taking to meet their responsibilities? (4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(4) Is the minister prepared to offer a significant dollar bounty to encourage more professional shooters and doggers to hunt down and slaughter these dog packs? (5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(5) Has the minister had any feedback from the federal standing committee on the impact of feral pests, which met with pastoralists at Leonora on 12 April this year? Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon BRUCE DONALDSON : That is quite a well-named committee, is it not? It could lead anywhere. (6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(6) Funding for wild dog control was boosted by an additional $300 000 to $1.9 million this financial year. That was announced by the minister on 8 December 2004. How much of that money has been expended? The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
The PRESIDENT : In calling the minister and noting the time, I suggest that the minister might want to take that six-part question on notice. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry to disappoint you. I think I can answer this question quite quickly. (1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(1),(3) Certainly, the government is aware of the issues. As the honourable member indicated in asking the question, there has been a significant increase in the amount of public money and pastoralists’ money devoted to wild dog control. I believe it is significant that there was a labour shortage issue, in that even if we had the funds to recruit doggers, there were no doggers to recruit. We have now put in place for the first time ever in Australia, as far as I am aware, an authorised dogger training program, which has had its first graduates. I hope all those three are now working. (2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(2) Yes, I am aware of the shift in the eastern goldfields from sheep to cattle. However, we need to understand that a number of other factors will cause a sheep producer to switch to cattle, and they are more economic. However, dogs have certainly played an important role in that. (4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(4) Bounties are not generally supported by the zone control authorities. We did have a trial process of bounties in and around the Shire of Laverton last year. I cannot say that it was brilliantly successful. However, we remain open to any ideas. Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon Bruce Donaldson : I think it might have changed its mind. Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
Hon KIM CHANCE : We are happy to speak to people about it. It is something that we can do, and we do not close our minds to it. (5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(5) The result of the federal standing committee inquiry, as I understand it, was an agreement reached between the commonwealth government and local government in the eastern wheatbelt region for a sum of $300 000 to be provided to approach the wild dog problem. That $300 000 has never seen the light of day. I think the problem was that local government was not able to present to the commonwealth a case that stood up sufficiently to justify the provision of the commonwealth money. Since then, I understand that the commonwealth has come back and done what it should have done in the first place; that is, to talk to the zone control authorities, which are the responsible bodies. I am hopeful that that will see the light of day very soon. (6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
(6) All of the $300 000 of state money that was committed has either now been expended or, in the case of one significant component of some $60 000, is tied up or waiting for contracts to be let. That $60 000 is intended to be spent on trial work on the barrier fence to see whether we can electrify the barrier fence to give effective dog control. We are still waiting for tenders to be assessed on that component. The remaining $240 000 approximately has either been spent or is in the process of being spent, principally by the ZCAs.
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