Cattle Compensation Act Amendment Bill 1971-2

Second Reading

The Hon. T. M. CASEY (Minister of Agriculture): I move:

That this Bill be now read a second time.

It is intended to extend the ambit of the principal Act, the Cattle Compensation Act, 1939, as amended, to cover the kind of cattle commonly known as buffalo. Recently, a commercial consignment of buffalo for breeding has been received in this State and, since at times these animals will be run in conjunction with animals already subject to the Act, it seems appropriate that buffalo should also be subject to the Act. Briefly, the effect of this measure is that sales of buffalo will be subject to a levy for the Cattle Compensation Fund and compensation will, in appropriate circumstances, be payable from the fund in the event of buffalo being found to be diseased. This proposal has the support of the relevant industry authorities.

The Hon. M. B. DAWKINS secured the adjournment of the debate.