Mr. Redman raises concerns about metropolitan residents raiding regional grocery stores during COVID-19 and asks the Premier about supply chain security and police resources. The Premier responds by highlighting the Freight and Logistics Council's efforts and police presence.

AnsweredQoN 198Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 March 2020
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
GROCERY SUPPLIES — REGIONAL AREAS
198. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Premier:
I refer to reports of legal looters
travelling from the metropolitan area to raid regional grocery stores for goods
that are in short supply at the expense of local communities.
(1) Has the
government engaged directly with wholesale and retail groups to gauge their
ideas on how supply chain security can be ensured for regional traders and
customers?
(2) Will the
Premier consider allocating additional police resources to protect essential
supplies in regional towns, as has been done in the metropolitan area?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) The
Freight and Logistics Council of Western Australia, which met a couple of days
ago, is working to coordinate and ensure that there are appropriate supplies of
goods and fresh products into every part of Western
Australia. That work is currently being undertaken by the Minister for
Transport and the Freight and Logistics Council under Nicole Lockwood,
Cam Dumesny and the other members of that council. I think the same question
was asked yesterday by the Deputy Leader of the Nationals WA, and I said that I
am appalled by all the panic buying going on in Western Australia across the
city and across the regions. I am appalled by all of it; it is shocking. I urge
everyone engaged in that sort of conduct to stop. The Commissioner of Police
has already indicated that police will be placed in shopping centres as a calming
initiative and to arrest and charge people who break the law.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more