❓ A comprehensive inquiry into the WA dairy industry, seeking details on the government's development plan, funding, economic impact, and actions taken to support farmers and address industry challenges.

I refer to the Western Australian Dairy Industry and I ask:(a) Will the Minister table the full Western Australian Dairy Industry Five-Year Development Plan referenced in her Government’s media statement;(b) What specific funding has been allocated by the State Government to implement the plan since 20 July 2023;(c) How much of that funding has actually been spent to date, and on what programs;(d) How many full-time equivalent public servants within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are assigned specifically to dairy industry development;(e) How many dairy farms were operating in Western Australia in July 2023, and how many are operating today;(f) Given the Government stated the industry contributes more than $187 million to the State economy, what is the current economic value of the sector;(g) What measurable increase in milk production has occurred since the Government reiterated its support for the dairy plan;(h) Has the Government set a production growth target for WA milk supply:(i) If yes, what is the target and by what year;(i) The plan identifies profitability as a core goal, what specific actions has the Minister taken to improve farm-gate milk prices;(j) Has the Minister met with WA dairy processors regarding pricing transparency and contracts with farmers:(i) If yes, provide dates and attendees;(k) How many times has the Minister personally met with representatives of Western Dairy since July 2023;(l) The Government stated it is collaborating with Dairy Australia and industry bodies, what formal agreements or memoranda of understanding exist and will they be tabled;(m) The plan includes supply chains and new markets, what new export markets for WA dairy products have been opened since the announcement;(n) What funding has been provided for on-farm infrastructure upgrades such as water, energy or feed systems to support dairy expansion;(o) What action has the Government taken to address labour shortages and skills shortages in the dairy sector;(p) The Government identified succession planning as a major issue, how many new or young dairy farmers have entered the industry since the plan commenced;(q) What assistance has been provided to dairy farmers dealing with rising input costs including feed, fertiliser, power and water;(r) The Minister referenced decarbonisation challenges, what financial assistance has been offered to dairy farmers to meet emissions or environmental compliance requirements;(s) What modelling has the Government undertaken on the impact of supermarket pricing pressure on the long-term viability of WA dairy farms; and(t) Does the Minister concede that, despite the Government’s commitment to industry growth and sustainability, the number of dairy farms in WA has declined over the years?