• Reviewing Labor’s red tape on wildlife rescue organisations and supporting volunteers.
• Providing financial support to wildlife rescue organisations.
• Lowering living costs for families, volunteers, charities, and businesses.
The WA Liberals have announced they will back wildlife rescue organisations by reviewing red tape and unrealistic restrictions on their operations, according to WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam.
“Volunteers provide countless hours of free service across our community, including to protect our environment, our flora and our fauna,” said Ms Mettam.
“Wildlife rescue organisations are a vital part of the volunteer cohort, but they have been targeted with unnecessary costs and bureaucracy by WA Labor.
“We should be making it easier for these organisations to operate, not harder.
“That is why we’re committing to a system that cuts red tape, leaving only a clear and effective set of rules for these rescue operators across Western Australia.”
Many of the current restrictions put unnecessary pressure on people and organisations trying to do the right thing, according to Neil Thomson, Shadow Environment Minister.
“That is why the WA Liberals are committed to providing grants to these organisations, with a pool of $400,000 available every year,” said Mr Thomson.
“Wildlife rescue organisations work hard to do what is best for these animals, despite burdensome regulations and the pressures from the Cook Labor Government.
“This grant recognises the invaluable work of the many wildlife organisations and volunteers across WA, and the support they need to save more vulnerable lives.
“Our native wildlife is fundamental to what makes our state so unique – we need to do everything possible to help it, not hinder it.”
This announcement to back wildlife rescue organisations was welcomed by WA Liberal Candidate for Kalamunda, Adam Hort.
“The WA Liberals’ Building a Better Future blueprint shows we are committed to lowering living costs, and that includes for families, charities, and businesses alike,” said Mr Hort.
“It’s already hard enough to volunteer during a cost-of-living crisis, and the government should be making it easier to give back to community organisations like Kanyana Wildlife Rescue – not harder.”