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Question: PIRSA and RSPCA Contractual Funding Agreement

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:50): My question to the Minister for Primary Industries is: what are the expiry dates, quantum and obligations of the current contractual funding deeds and arrangements between PIRSA and the RSPCA? What provisions have been made by the minister and her department to fulfill those statutory obligations should such deeds not be renewed?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for her question. As has been mentioned in the past, the predominant responsibility for animal welfare lies with the Minister for Environment and Water in the other place, with PIRSA—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —my department, in conjunction with that department and with the RSPCA, looking after inquiries or concerns that are lodged in regard to livestock. In terms of the specifics about dates and quantum and so on, I am happy to take that on notice and bring it back to the chamber.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:51): Supplementary: is the minister confident that training and independent expertise is available within her department or elsewhere should the RSPCA contract not be renewed, and will her department be able to fulfill their statutory obligations if so?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:51): Certainly in terms of livestock welfare issues the RSPCA has often, as I understand it, drawn on the expertise of PIRSA to investigate complaints or concerns and so therefore I am confident that the expertise exists within PIRSA. The minister in the other place has been leading the processes in regard to the RSPCA arrangements, and we have had a number of discussions, of course, both at an officer level and in other fora in regard to that. I am hopeful that there will be a very positive outcome.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:52): Supplementary: in the minister's over a year in the job has she ever received a briefing about the role that the RSPCA plays in PIRSA's statutory obligations fulfilment?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:52): Certainly I have had verbal briefings. I would have to check my records to see if they have also included written briefings.

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