WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER FISHERY — MINISTERIAL
EXEMPTION
110. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to reports of 900 kilograms
of western rock lobster authorised by exemption by the minister over the last two years to allow Kailis Bros to exceed its
quota for the purpose of making a charitable donation to Mission Australia.
(1) How was Mission Australia
identified and chosen to be the recipient of the charitable donation?
(2) Did the
minister seek advice on whether it is lawful to make such an exemption under
section 7(2)(d) of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994; and, if so, from
whom and what was the advice?
(3) How does a charitable
donation for the purposes of a Christmas lunch fall within the statutory
definition of ''public health'' in section 7(2)(d)?
(4) What was the estimated value of
the lobster at the time of each donation?
(5) Can the
minister please table the application for exemption in each instance and the
approval, including any related conditions issued by the minister?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Fisheries has provided the following information.
(1) Mission
Australia was identified and chosen because it delivers a unique annual
Christmas Lunch in the Park for Perth's most vulnerable people,
including those experiencing homelessness.
(2) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development advised that the
purpose was consistent with this exemption provision.
(3) Exemptions
under section 7(2)(d) relate to public health. This covers the purpose of
improving the health and wellbeing of Perth's homeless community
generated from this event. Importantly, this exemption provision was used to
support other charities in 2015 and 2016 by the previous Liberal–National
government.
(4) An exemption
was granted to Kailis Bros to catch lobster for the lunch. Kailis Bros
generously caught, processed, cooked and delivered the lobster to the event. I am
unable to provide a figure as to the value of this donation.
(5) Formal
applications were not required in relation to these exemptions, as they are not
for a range of other types of exemption. The condition on both exemptions was
that all other fishing activities conducted under this exemption must be done
in accordance with the ''West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery
Management Plan 2012''.