Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Environment regarding the handling of illegal taking or possession of protected fauna offences reported to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. The Minister provides some data but requests further time to answer part of the question.

AnsweredQoN 717Legislative Council
Asked
17 August 2016
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE —
POSSESSION OF PROTECTED FAUNA
717. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Department of Parks and Wildlife 2014–15 Yearbook , table
12.
(1) Can the
minister please outline why only 36 of 260 reported offences of illegal taking
or possession of protected fauna were dealt with over the reporting period
while 224 reported offences were still pending action?
(2) Of those 260
reported offences, how many have now been dealt with and how many are now
categorised no further action?
(3) For the
reporting period 2015–16 for notifications of illegal taking or
possession of protected fauna, will the minister please provide the number of —
(a) reported
offences;
(b) convictions;
(c) letter or
warning;
(d) caution
notice;
(e) no further
action; and
(f) pending?
(4) If no to (3), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Although 260
offences were reported during the 2014–15 period, many of them arose
from investigations involving multiple offences against multiple alleged
offenders. Several of those cases accounting for a significant proportion of
the outstanding charges were adjourned several times throughout the 2014–15
financial year and had not been concluded by the end of that period.
(2) More time is
required to interrogate the database to provide the requested information. I therefore
ask that the member place this part of the question on notice.
(3) The figures
are—
(a) 1 351
offences;
(b) 72;
(c) six;
(d) 364;
(e) one; and
(f) 223.
(4) Not applicable.

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