Page 710 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I think I have answered the question. The amount of the rates has not been decided. That will be decided in the budget context, but as there is as a result of the land valuation an overall increase of 12 per cent, which represents some increase and some decrease in actual values, there will clearly be some fluctuation over and above what people paid last time.
Mr Duby: Some are paying less, are they not?
MS FOLLETT: Some may well go down, as Mr Duby points out.
Domestic Animal Control
MR DUBY: I am going to get off these frivolous issues and get to a matter with some bite. My question is addressed to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services and concerns the issue of stray cats and dogs. In order to relieve the pressure on the resources of the ACT Administration's dog catchers, does she believe that dog traps of similar design to the cat trap currently available from the RSPCA on display in the foyer could be hired to the public on the proviso that the traps be set by the dog patrol people? Accordingly, will the Minister investigate the possibility of making available to the public at a nominal hiring fee cat and dog traps? If so, would the Minister ensure that the availability of these cat and dog traps is made widely known to the community at large?
MRS GRASSBY: I would like to say to the Deputy Chief Minister I do not think we could get a rat trap big enough for the rat he is thinking of putting in it. May I say, Mr Speaker, that I would rather call them "dog traps". The Chief Minister has a very nice pussy cat, and I do not think she would be very pleased if her pussy cat were caught in a trap.
Mr Speaker, in answer to the question, the agriculture section of the ACT Parks and Conservation Division is responsible for dog control in the ACT. Mr Speaker, you will also be pleased to know that I have a petition about dogs in Canberra which will be handed up to you.
A member: From them?
MRS GRASSBY: No. My mother used to say the nicest thing about dogs was that they wagged their tails and not their tongues. Maybe Mr Collaery could learn something from that. Officers are in possession of information as to the use of dog traps by some New South Wales authorities, such as the Blacktown City Council, and I understand that the Queanbeyan council also has these.
My understanding is that in these cases the traps are sparingly used and very carefully supervised. Concern has been raised that they could pose a danger to young
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