Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 743 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 August 2019 by Hon Colin De Grussa

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

ANIMAL ACTIVISM — LEGISLATION

743. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Leader of the House representing the Attorney General:

I refer to new legislation that came into effect in New South Wales on 1 August and recently introduced legislation in the federal Parliament, both aimed at deterring animal activists from their illegal behaviours.

(1) Is it correct that the legislation implemented in New South Wales will deliver the strictest trespass penalties in the nation, and will be approximately 10 times the penalties the Attorney General is seeking to introduce in Western Australia?

(2) Will he now follow the lead of the New South Wales Parliament and seek to introduce higher penalties, including on-the-spot fines for trespassers on agricultural land?

(3) Given that other Parliaments have been able to successfully take action on this issue, when will this Parliament finally see the introduction of any legislation to deter criminal animal activists?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) The New South Wales changes relate to the enforcement of requirements created under biosecurity legislation. In contrast, the government's proposal relates to the criminal law of trespass. Options around the enforcement of biosecurity requirements in WA will be considered as part of a review of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, which is due to commence in the 2019–20 financial year. This legislation falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

(2) No.

(3) Legislation is currently being drafted. It is noted that the recent New South Wales reforms involved changes to regulations, not primary legislation.