Hon George Cash questions the Royal Agricultural Society's commercial activities at Claremont Showgrounds, alleging potential conflict with local businesses and asking if they are operating outside their legal powers. Hon Kim Chance initially declines to investigate but offers to consider the matter or refer it to the appropriate minister.

AnsweredQoN 17Legislative Council
Asked
30 March 2005
Portfolio
Agriculture and Forestry

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the activities of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA at Claremont. It is an institution of which the minister is very well aware. Given the commercial activities of the Royal Agricultural Society at the Claremont Showgrounds other than the Royal Show Week, in particular the leasing of space for commercial gain for traders who compete with local Town of Claremont traders, will the minister investigate and report to the house whether the Royal Agricultural Society is operating ultra vires its act? The minister is no doubt aware of the Royal Agricultural Society Act 1926 and the general nature and substance of the legislation. Will the minister look into the matter if he does not have an answer today? The PRESIDENT : I am sure the Leader of the House is not about to give a legal opinion. Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

Absolutely not. I believe this matter has been raised before by the member. Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
Given the commercial activities of the Royal Agricultural Society at the Claremont Showgrounds other than the Royal Show Week, in particular the leasing of space for commercial gain for traders who compete with local Town of Claremont traders, will the minister investigate and report to the house whether the Royal Agricultural Society is operating ultra vires its act? The minister is no doubt aware of the Royal Agricultural Society Act 1926 and the general nature and substance of the legislation. Will the minister look into the matter if he does not have an answer today? The PRESIDENT : I am sure the Leader of the House is not about to give a legal opinion. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Absolutely not. I believe this matter has been raised before by the member. Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
The PRESIDENT : I am sure the Leader of the House is not about to give a legal opinion. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Absolutely not. I believe this matter has been raised before by the member. Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: Absolutely not. I believe this matter has been raised before by the member. Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
Absolutely not. I believe this matter has been raised before by the member. Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
Hon George Cash : No. Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.
Hon KIM CHANCE : It is an issue I have been aware of. I am not certain that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is one of my acts. I have a vague suspicion that it is not. I will check that. I have encouraged the Royal Agricultural Society in its dealings with the Claremont Football Club, for example, which is a logical use of a community asset. I understand the matters raised by the member. There are a number of issues sitting behind it. I am happy to undertake to either look at the matter myself or refer the matter to the appropriate minister in the event that the Royal Agricultural Society Act is not my act.

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