Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD) FORTY-FIRST PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION 2021 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Tuesday, 3 August 2021 Legislative Council Tuesday, 3 August 2021 THE PRESIDENT (Hon Alanna Clohesy) took the chair at 2.00 pm, read prayers and acknowledged country. SPRING SITTINGS Statement by President THE PRESIDENT (Hon Alanna Clohesy) [2.03 pm]: Welcome back, members. I hope you have had an opportunity to refresh and I wish you all a productive next few months. BILLS Assent Message from the Governor received and read notifying assent to the following bills — 1. Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Bill 2021. 2. Supply Bill 2021. 3. Sunday Entertainments Repeal Bill 2021. 4. Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Amendment Bill 2021. FRANK WISE INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE Statement by Minister for Agriculture and Food HON ALANNAH MacTIERNAN (South West — Minister for Agriculture and Food) [2.05 pm]: Members, 10 days ago we gathered at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Kununurra to celebrate three-quarters of a century of agricultural research in the East Kimberley—a significant milestone for agricultural research and development, and for development in the Ord. Descendants of those who were central to the establishment of the research centre, including former Premier Frank Wise and the Durack family, as well as farmers and civic leaders, paid testimony to the vision and fortitude of those who helped to realise the potential of the fertile landscape. The Kimberley Research Station was established in 1946 as a joint state and commonwealth initiative, staffed by the CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture. It had been preceded by a trial facility on Carlton Reach, which was funded through the Western Australian government and led by Kim Durack. In 1986, the CSIRO sold its share of the research facility to the Department of Agriculture and the facility was renamed the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture after the former Labor Premier who was instrumental in driving horticultural development in northern Western Australia. Frank Wise was a passionate advocate for northern agriculture, first as a field officer with the Department of Agriculture, and as a special commissioner to the federal government. He drove development of northern horticulture as Minister for Agriculture from 1935 to 1945 and then as Premier of Western Australia from 1945 to 1947. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has continued the research that helped to lay the foundations for the development and expansion of the Ord River irrigation area, which now spans 15 500 hectares. Over the past 75 years, the institute has led research into sugar cane, cotton, rice, sorghum, maize, winter cereals, safflower, linseed, peanuts, lemongrass, and kenaf and other fibre crops. Over the past four years, the McGowan government has revitalised the institute, which is now fully utilised with more than 20 project collaborations underway, including research into hemp, quinoa, plantago, mangoes, safflower, cassava and cotton. The staff led us on an exciting field trip, showcasing their important work in biosecurity, plant breeding and agronomy. The Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture and its staff have achieved so much over the past 75 years, underpinning the transformation of this outback region into a valuable northern food bowl. Our government is committed to continuing Frank Wise’s legacy and supporting our northern food bowl for generations to come. PERTH USASIA CENTRE — LECTURES Statement by President THE PRESIDENT (Hon Alanna Clohesy) [2.07 pm]: Members, I have some statements. I was just checking who was alert to the fact that I missed them before! The first one is about the Perth USAsia Centre. Members would have received an email from my office regarding a number of opportunities to hear from the Perth USAsia Centre in a series of lectures over the next few months. The Perth USAsia Centre is a leading think tank focusing on geopolitical issues, policy development and building a strategic affairs community across government, business and academia. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe. The sessions will take place during the lunchbreak on sitting day Thursdays. If members have not already done so, I encourage you to RSVP to the various sessions offered. 2136 [COUNCIL — Tuesday, 3 August 2021] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER — PHOTOGRAPHER ACCESS Statement by President THE PRESIDENT (Hon Alanna Clohesy) [2.08 pm]: Members, the Clerk sent you an email today advising arrangements that have been made for photographs to be taken in and around the Council chamber during tomorrow’s sitting. The photos will serve as a record of the forty-first Parliament and will be used on the Parliament’s public website and in other parliamentary publications. I have authorised the photographer to come onto the floor of the chamber during Wednesday’s formal business and questions without notice to take photographs of members and staff in action during proceedings, and to access the areas around the chamber, including the President’s corridor. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER — EDITH PERFORMANCE Statement by President THE PRESIDENT (Hon Alanna Clohesy) [2.09 pm]: Members, I would like to remind you of the special performance of the short play Edith tonight in the Legislative Assembly chamber commencing at 6.15 pm. Edith re-creates Edith Cowan’s first speech in the Legislative Assembly 100 years ago and adds points of view by historical and future characters, including Sir John Forrest, the state’s first Premier, and a young woman from 2021. Refreshments will be served before and after the performance in the courtyard. I look forward to seeing you in the Legislative Assembly chamber at 6.15 pm. PAPERS TABLED Papers were tabled and ordered to lie upon the table of the house. STANDING COMMITTEE ON UNIFORM LEGISLATION AND STATUTES REVIEW 132nd Report — Veterinary Practice Bill 2021 — Tabling HON DONNA FARAGHER (East Metropolitan) [2.24 pm]: I am directed to present for tabling the 132nd report of the Standing Committee on Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review titled Veterinary Practice Bill 2021. [See paper 419.] Hon DONNA FARAGHER: The report that I have just tabled advises the house of the committee’s findings and recommendations regarding the Veterinary Practice Bill 2021. The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960 currently regulates veterinary practice in Western Australia, but in 2006, the Council of Australian Governments’ Primary Industries Ministerial Council endorsed a proposed model for the national recognition of veterinary registration. The Veterinary Practice Bill 2021 reflects the Agreement Relating to Mutual Recognition entered into in 1992 between the commonwealth and all states and territories and the proposed model endorsed by the ministerial council in 2006. It introduces the recognition of the registration of veterinarians in other Australian jurisdictions. The bill will enable an interstate veterinarian who holds primary registration in another Australian jurisdiction to practise in Western Australia, subject to the same conditions, restrictions or limitations that apply to their primary registration. After three months, the veterinarian must apply for Western Australian registration. Key features of the bill include: formalising a process for identifying and dealing with veterinarians suffering an impairment separate from the current practice of dealing with it as a complaint or unprofessional conduct matter; allowing non-veterinarians to own and operate veterinary practices, provided a registered veterinarian makes decisions relating to veterinary treatment and care; establishing a new veterinary practice board of Western Australia to replace the current Veterinary Surgeons’ Board; returning to the new board the power to deal with minor disciplinary matters which it had previously held but which have resided with the State Administrative Tribunal since 2005; and increasing board membership from five to eight, including a consumer representative, a legal practitioner and a veterinary nurse for balance. The Standing Committee on Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review has identified several clauses in the bill that impact the sovereignty and lawmaking powers of the Western Australian Parliament. The committee has drawn these clauses to the Legislative Council’s attention for consideration during debate on the bill. I commend the report to the house. WEAPONS AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2021 — DISALLOWANCE Notice of Motion Notice of motion given by Hon Dr Brian Walker. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL 2021 Committee Resumed from 22 June. The Deputy Chair of Committees (Hon Dr Sally Talbot) in the chair; Hon Alannah MacTiernan (Minister for Agriculture and Food) in charge of the bill. Clause 4: Section 3 amended — Progress was reported after the clause had been partly considered. [COUNCIL — Tuesday, 3 August 2021] 2137 The DEPUTY CHAIR (Hon Dr Sally Talbot): Members, if I can just update you on the current situation, we are considering the Agricultural Produce Commission Amendment Bill 2021. We are in committee, and we are considering clause 4. It is my understanding that supplementary notice paper 1, which you will already have in your possession, will very shortly be superseded by supplementary notice paper 2, which will contain an amendment to clause 4. Hon Alannah MacTiernan: A very small amendment. The DEPUTY