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.