Hon Bruce Donaldson asks about the amalgamation of rock lobster processing operations, the number of processing licences, and the Minister's discretionary power in granting them. Hon Jon Ford acknowledges the questions and states he will provide further information later.

AnsweredQoN 878Legislative Council
Asked
17 October 2006
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

ROCK LOBSTER PROCESSING LICENCES
(1) Have Lobster Australia and James Bowes amalgamated their operations for the forthcoming rock lobster season by operating under one processing licence? (2) If they have amalgamated their operations, how many processing licences will now operate for the 2006-07 season? (3) Given that up to 10 licences are available to operate during a lobster season under the Fish Resources Management Act, does the minister have the discretion to grant a processing licence under the act? Hon JON FORD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
(2) If they have amalgamated their operations, how many processing licences will now operate for the 2006-07 season? (3) Given that up to 10 licences are available to operate during a lobster season under the Fish Resources Management Act, does the minister have the discretion to grant a processing licence under the act? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
(3) Given that up to 10 licences are available to operate during a lobster season under the Fish Resources Management Act, does the minister have the discretion to grant a processing licence under the act? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
(1) I am not aware of that amalgamation. (2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
(2) I am not exactly sure about the number of processors, but I will let the member know.  The government is currently examining the review, and I have been asked a number of questions about how many processors there should be and whether more should be allowed in.  There has also been broader debate within the industry about competition policy. (3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
(3) I believe that I do not have that discretionary power, but that my executive director does.  It is a power of the executive director, and I sign off, or not, on the executive director’s recommendation. I will get back to the member on all of these issues.
I will get back to the member on all of these issues.

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