Ms. Davies raises concerns about animal activist confrontations with primary producers and seeks government action. The Premier condemns the activists' behaviour and outlines collaborative efforts between police and agricultural organisations to address the issue.

AnsweredQoN 61Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 February 2019
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

ANIMAL ACTIVISM
61. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to recent confrontations
between animal activist groups and primary producers, including incidents in
Harvey and Muchea, and threats made in Northam. What is the government doing to
deal with the increasingly disturbing and potentially illegal behaviour that
threatens those in the agricultural sector and their ability to safely and
lawfully conduct their business?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
I have seen some of the imagery on the news of some of the behaviour of
activists attempting to intimidate farmers going about their lawful business,
and I condemn that behaviour. I condemned it last week when it was brought to
my attention. I note some of the activists have been storming restaurants in
Northbridge and interrupting people while they are eating their dinner. All
taking that sort of action does is turn the public against them, it turns the
government against them and turns the general community against them. No-one
endorses that sort of illegal activity.
Following the events of last week,
the advice I have received from the Minister for Police is that the Western Australian
Farmers Federation, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA and the WA
Police Force are engaging in a roundtable discussion, or a meeting, to talk
about what action police can take. I look forward to police using the resources
at their disposal, but also the laws in relation to trespass and harassment to
prosecute those people engaged in this conduct.

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