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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 448 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 May 2022 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

DECLARED PEST CONTROL ACTIVITIES

448. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Regional Development:

I refer to page 111 of budget paper No 3 of the 2022–23 state budget, which identifies an $8.2 million reduction in spending on declared pest control activities, and to page 118 in the same budget paper, which explains this by saying —

A reduction in expenditure of $8.2 million over the forward estimates period has been approved to match a reduction in levied rates on properties for declared pest control activities in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.

(1) From which regions, industries and recognised biosecurity groups has the $8.2 million in rates not been raised under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act to match the government funding, allowing the government not to match such funding?

(2) What is the amount now budgeted for each RBG for each financial year from 2022–23 to 2025–26?

(3) What impact will this reduction have on the management of declared species?

(4) Will the government reinstate the funding if the rates under the BAM act are re-established?

(5) Why is the government reducing the spend on desperately needed biosecurity in this budget?

Hon DARREN WEST replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Regional Development, I provide the following answer.

(1)–(5) There has been no reduction in expenditure for existing recognised biosecurity groups, or RBGs. The previous budget included a funding provision for the Carnarvon Growers Association RBG, which no longer exists, and the Warren biosecurity group, which has decided not to seek recognition as an RBG. This provision has been removed. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development advises that this line item also includes a forecasting error of $4.6 million over the forward estimates period, which will be corrected in the midyear budget review process. The actual reduction in forecast expenditure over the forward estimates period is $3.6 million rather than the $8.2 million as stated. This reduction reflects the removal of the funding provisions for the Carnarvon Growers Association RBG and the Warren biosecurity group.