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A Summer of Madness:

Triggs Beach:

Perth:

Western Australia:

Sharks: All sense. No logic.

Sharks: Calm. Excitable.

Great White Sharks don’t bite.

They feed.

They swallow.

10 December, 2013:

Western Australian State Premier Colon Barnett and Minister for Fisheries, Troy Buswell today announce new measures to appease and gain political favour from influential, invested individuals, commercial businesses, organizations and marine tourism operators of the Perth metropolitan and south west Capes region of Western Australia.

The income and profits of these entities are all commercially .dependant on the services and products that they sell, which all rely on their paying customers utilising produdts and sevices that are either on, in, under, or over the waters of the Indian ocean.

The Western Australian waters of the Indian Ocean have the world wild reputation the being a the WILDEST, the most printine, and healthy,marine evironmental paradise and ecological wonderland.

A Marine Wildreness.

This is in direct conflict with the comerecial entities that sell products and sevices that are either in or under the WILD waters of the Indian Ocean.

These commercial entities suffer financial injury if their paying customers are fearfull of being eaten by a Great White Shark and are reluctant or detered from going in, under, on, or anywhere near the under the waters of the Indian Ocean, such is the deserved reputation of the Great White Shark.

The Barnett Liberal Government’s Shark Mitigation Policy had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the safety of the ocean-going General Public of Western Australia.

The focus was on appeasing and gaining the political support and political favour of the influencial commercial business entities in the Bussselton- Margaret River- Cape to Cape region of the South-West, the electorate Vasse, of which Minister Troy Buswell was the Member, whos income and profits rely on tourists buying products and sevices that are either in or under the WILD waters of the Indian Ocean.

https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel-news/worlds-deadliest-shark-coast-hurting-tourism-20120716-22514.html#ixzz2lj9M6pUn

https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/deadly-sharks-a-lurking-issue-for-wa-20131126-2y7p3.html

The highly controversial, sensationalized and extensively reported “Shark!! Cull !! ” announcement was just the latest in a sequence of highly emotive, controversial, aggressive widely publicised Liberal Party Government policy announcements and press releases made by Troy Buswell in his roles as both Minister for Transport and Fisheries.

These announcements were designed and intended to improve his credibility, increase his political and appeal to the voting public of Western Australia as the next Premier of the State of Western Australia, and also to distract public attention and scrutiny away from Minister Troy Buswell’s disgraceful misconduct and behaviour in various ways, at various times, at various places, involving various people over a staggeringly long period of time.

Premier Colon Barnett had full knowledge and awareness of these matters and the moral and character deficiencies of Troy Buswell, but chose to ignore and tolerate these and support Troy Buswell and to present him as being a fit and proper individual to represnt the State of Western Australia as Premier, and by doing so, condoned Troy Buswell’s misconduct and behaviour.

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Barnett%20Liberal%20National%20Government/New-measures-to-combat-WA-shark-risks-20131210

Minister Troy Buswell:The chair Sniffer:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-04-29/emotional-buswell-admits-to-chair-sniffing-incident/2419558

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/inside-story-staffer-tells-of-chair-sniffing-hell-ng-ya-215502

The 2014 Shark Cull:

Was a state government policy of capturing and killing large sharks in the vicinity of popular swimming beaches by use of baited drum lines.

Australia’s Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt granted the WA Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws protecting Great White Sharks, to allow the otherwise illegal acts of harming or killing the species.

Duration:

The controversial trial lasted for three months, from January to April 2014.

Method:

Baited drum lines were used to catch sharks off Perth and in the state’s south-west.

Targets:

The policy focused on catching and killing sharks of three meters or longer, in particular, Great White Sharks.

February 1, 2014:

Western Australian State Government Shark Cull Policy.

Public Protest, Cottesloe Beach.

16 February 2014 10:32 PM

From: Rose Donohue::jawesome@hotmail.com

To: Buswell, Minister: minister.buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au

Subject: Shark Mitigation Policy.

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

MacLaren Lyn: Lynn.MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Christine Milne senator.milne@aph.gov.au

Re: Shark Mitigation Policy.

Good morning Troy,

Please find attached for your attention.

Rose Donohue.

The Hon. Troy Buswell MLA

Minister for Fisheries, WA Government.

13th Floor

Dumas House

2 Havelock Street

West Perth WA 6005

Minister.Buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au

Dear Troy,

I believe now is an appropriate time to renew our acquaintance due to our previous, mutually beneficial, commercial relationship. Myself as owner / operator of SPV 621, ‘G-Babe’, and you in your capacity with Villa Carlotta Tours, and later with the Shire of Busselton both as Councillor and Shire President.

You may recall also that am an ex-West Australian State Fisheries Officer, having been employed as such from 1985 to 1996.

With respect, the current shark management policy, as announced by you in your previous portfolio as Minister for Fisheries, has been an unprecedented failure and brought ridicule and embarrassment to your Government.

I am of the opinion, based on my professional expertise and experience, that the current practices being employed by the Barnett government has actually dramatically increased the risk to humans being involved in a significant shark event.

The public has the right to be made aware and to be educated by the Government of the day, as to any information that may mitigate in any way, the risk of a serious attack by a shark for example, at what time and at what locations the risk of a shark attack is highest. I believe the Government has a Duty of Care to the community of Western Australia generally to keep the public fully informed and up to date with this information and failure to do so will ultimately have fatal ramifications.

The opportunity exists now for Perth to develop into a world leader in the research and development of cutting edge electronic digital marine surveillance (including drones and UMAVs) and species specific recognition, tracking, locating and definitive identification technologies.

This will include the gathering biometric / metadata from individual shark species. Once a digital signal for a species has been established, a digital program can be used to definitively identify that specifics and either turn on, or turn off an’ electronic fence’. By utilizing current and developing mechatronic technologies, any number of functions will become possible.

For example, a species known to be harmless can pass through a monitored area whereas a species known to be dangerous will activate an alarm or some other action or process.

Western Australia can be both the most dangerous place in the world for shark attacks (to some that equates to exhilaration) and also become the safest place in the world to swim in the ocean. (100% guaranteed under certain locations and under certain conditions)

Here, now, in Australia’s very own and very unique ‘Wild West’.

Perth. Indian Ocean. Latitude 31.9522° South, Longitude 115.8589° East.

Our isolation, vastness of coastline and rich marine biology must be maintained and not killed off or senselessly destroyed. This is our draw card. This is our point of difference. Not just with the eastern states of Australia, but the rest of the world. This is our niche market.

Troy, not only are you biting the hand that feeds you, you go one worse by biting the hand that has fed you (and your family).

You yourself have profited from the benefits of well managed and researched local eco-tourism industry, as was the case in Busselton and the provision of eco-tours to you and your paying customers by myself aboard SPV 621, ‘G-Babe’.

As you will recall, close encounters and interaction with various marine creatures in the vicinity of the Busselton Jetty were both numerous, varied and spectacular. Snorkelling and swimming encounters with dolphins and large stingrays were a frequent occurrence.

Eco-Tourism is a booming industry worldwide. Adventure Eco-Tourism even more so.

This is because the opportunity to experience an essentially pure, wild, natural experience is becoming rarer and rarer. The Barnett Government is responsible for contributing to making these wild interactions rarer and rarer

Cage diving with sharks is a fact of life now. SCUBA diving with sharks is a fact of life now. Skin diving with sharks is a fact of life now. Free diving with sharks is a fact of life now. We have the opportunity to make Western Australia the world’s premier eco-adventure destination, a fact of life, now.

We already have a world class eco -tourism industry. It’s just a matter of whether it is properly nurtured and developed into a sustainable adventure eco -tourism industry with a view to the future, catering to all levels of the thrill / adrenalin/ exhilaration eco-adventure market, which does include those at the extreme high risk end of the scale, just as much as it applies to those closer to the no risk end of the scale.

Troy, there is one ocean, seven seas and no boarders. The sharks that transit the waters adjacent to the land that we inhabit are not ours to kill, cull, or destroy. They are a shared resource with the rest of the world that are to be not just coexisted with, but at a bare minimum, treated with a degree of dignity and respect.

Many of the sharks being killed by your Government at present are highly revered religious, spiritual and cultural icons or totems.

For some in our local coastal community that do regard sharks extremely highly, even reverence, the current application of the Government’s shark mitigation policy is akin to someone totally ignorant of the Catholic faith, walking in to the cathedral at The Vatican, having a quick glance around at all the pretty relics and icons, randomly selecting from the most awe-inspiring and magnificent specimens, and then destroying them.

The solution to this problem is research, that is to find out what shark (s) is / are eating humans in our offshore waters, when and why these events occur.

I have developed a viable, well considered, long term, sustainable alternative shark management plan which will be infinitely more effective than the current management plan and which can be implemented immediately at a cost of approx one seventh (1/7) of the daily operating costs of the government’s current policy.

Key Points of my proposal:

All shark attack mitigation activity to be suspended immediately. This will coincide with the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday 22 February, 2014
No shark attack mitigation activity to be resumed after Saturday 22 February, 2014 until after full consideration of my and any other proposed alternative management plan by the Parliament of Western Australia.
Immediate public awareness campaign and expansion of existing safe swimming practices in cooperation with Surf Life Saving Australia.
Research only. No intentional killing of any shark or any other marine creature
Minimal baiting.
Existing number of baited lines and hooks to be halved.
Existing distance offshore of baited lines and hooks to be extended to 2 nautical miles offshore.
Tag and release preferred option
Catch and release / remove option only when required. High risk sharks relocated humanly and safely to waters west of Rottnest.
All alternative forms of tracking, locating and identifying sharks be investigated, researched and developed in close association with local TAFEs and Universities.
Cooperation, consultation and liaison with local indigenous community members and local indigenous eco-tourism operators.

I am offering to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of my proposal.

If I have not received a response from you by 5:00PM Monday 17th February 2013, I will seek a meeting with Mr Mark McGowan and Ms Christine Milne at their earliest convenience.

Yours Sincerely

Rose Donohue

jawesome@hotmail.com.au

Cc: Hon Mark McGowan MLA- leader@loop.wa.gov.au

Senator Christine Milne- senator.milne@aph.gov.au

Tuesday, 18 February 2014 9:44 AM

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com To: Mark McGowan: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au Subject: Barnett government shark management strategy

Mark

Please find attached for your attention.

Regards,

Rose Donohue

Re: Barnett Government shark management strategy.

Good morning Mark,

The conundrum that currently exists is:

Western Australia has arguably the richest marine environment generally, and more specifically, swimming beaches, in the world.
Western Australian coastal waters generally, and more specifically, waters of the Perth metropolitan, south-west and southern regions, are the most dangerous in the world for serious shark attacks on humans.

These two unique characteristics of our State are not mutually exclusive.

The vastness of our coastline makes it possible for the two circumstances to co-exist.

Obviously, not at the same location at the same time.

In my humble opinion, the resolution to the current situation is a strategy that would include:

The immediate cessation of any activity which is known to attract or excite sharks feeding behaviour in any location in the vicinity of public swimming beaches in the Perth metropolitan area. (baited drum lines)
In conjunction with Surf Lifesaving WA, the expansion and enhancement of traditional, long-standing, proven and effective safe swimming practices that encourage swimming between the flags at patrolled locations/beaches.
A public awareness and information campaign identifying the risks and dangers associated with swimming at locations other than the above.

This would include specific locations that are known to be shark feeding areas or the specific location of known serious shark attacks on humans.

Research and development of a sustainable adventure eco-tourism industry for coastal waters of the State of Western Australia, including diving / swimming with sharks.
Research and development of current and emerging shark identification, tracking and deterrent technologies.

I am available at any time, at your convenience, to discuss this or any other matter.

Good luck to you and the rest of the team for the future.

Rose Donohue.

Tuesday, 18February, 2014:

Public Protest at Parliament House

Professor Sharon Burden:

Cousultant, Risk Assessment and Mitigation.

Mother of most recent shark fatality at Bunker Bay.

Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD)

THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION 2014 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 18 February, 2014.

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM

10. Mr D.J. KELLY to the Premier:

I refer to the Premier’s shark drum line program and the fact that 63 of the 66 sharks caught have been tiger sharks, most of which were undersized, and to his Sharksmart website, which states that tiger sharks have been responsible for only one possible attack in WA since 1980, 34 years ago. In light of this, how can he possibly claim that his policy is a success?

Mr C.J. BARNETT replied:

This program using drum lines has been in operation for three weeks. There has been a lot of commentary and a lot of debate about it, obviously. The government took a decision to use drum lines late in December, and they were in place by late January. That is quick by any standard. We have not, therefore, had a full summer of monitoring to determine the outcome.

Although it might be only anecdotal, I think the prevalence of the great white shark from September to December is pretty clear. The member is quite right; 66 sharks have been caught—23 in the south west and 43 in the metropolitan area. Seventeen of those sharks were in excess of three metres, which is a large shark by any standard. Sixteen of those 17 sharks were destroyed and one had already died on the line. Forty-eight sharks were less than three metres, but these were big sharks; they were two-metre and 2.5-metre sharks.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Members!

Mr C.J. BARNETT: They were not small sharks. People need look only at the size of the hook, which was specially made to be large so that genuinely small sharks would not be caught. Many of the sharks that were released were over two metres. They were big sharks capable of causing severe injury, if not death. The criteria that were adopted were for three varieties of sharks—great white, tiger and bull—in excess of three metres because the evidence of fatal attacks has shown that they were sharks generally over three metres in size.

Mr P.B. Watson interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: People were saying that no sharks would be caught. The government intends that this program will run through next summer. I expect that when the drum lines are in place, there will be a wider distribution of sharks. Something has been learnt. As the Minister for Fisheries has said, the aerial surveys, the tagging and the apps are happening.

Several members interjected.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: Can I make a comment about this?

Mr D.J. Kelly: No; just answer the question.

[ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 18 February 2014] 135

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am answering the question. I want to make a comment about this. I respect people’s views. I understand that a significant portion of the population does not support this policy, but this government was faced with the reality that in over 100 years, there have been 20 fatalities from shark attacks. There have been seven fatalities in the last three years. This government—I accept the responsibility—had a responsibility to act to protect human life and to minimise the risk to those people who use beaches for swimming, diving and surfing. One thing is absolutely certain from this debate —

Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Fremantle!

[Interruption from the gallery.]

You’re an Eco – Dunce, Barnett.

The SPEAKER: Just let me tell the people in the gallery, you are welcome to sit and listen to the debate, but please do not make any comments, clap or make any other noise; otherwise, you will be ejected from the gallery.

Member for Fremantle, I call you to order for the first time.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: To conclude, I want to make another observation about this topic. The Treasurer has just reminded me that a boy was killed last year in New South Wales by a tiger shark. Tiger sharks are aggressive.

The other observation I want to make about this is that while I respect people’s views and their right to protest, I will not accept what is happening in this debate. I will not accept people engaging in and promoting violence. As Premier, I will not accept threats on people’s lives. I will not accept the intimidation of people who have expressed their view in favour of the shark cull, including people close to those who have lost their lives through shark attacks. When the Leader of the Opposition went down to Cottesloe Beach —

Several members interjected.

[Interruption from the gallery.]

You’re an Eco – Dunce, Barnett.

The SPEAKER: Please remove whoever is shouting out in the gallery. I want to hear the rest of this answer in silence.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am talking about when the Leader of the Opposition went down and took part in the protest on Cottesloe Beach. I acknowledge the vast majority of people were there because they opposed the policy and they were making their point known, but a minority group engaged in and advocated violence and threatened and intimidated people. Someone who hopes to be the Premier of this state should not have done so.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the first time.

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM

11. Mr D.J. KELLY to the Premier:

I have a supplementary question. If the Premier is so convinced that the drum lines make our beaches safer, why has he ordered that they be taken away from Cottesloe Beach a full five days before the Rottnest Channel Swim?

Mr C.J. BARNETT replied:

I think that is obvious. Surely the member for Bassendean understands that point.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Nobody can hear anything.

Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.

136 [ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 18 February 2014]

The SPEAKER: Member for Riverton, I formally call you to order for the first time today.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: I want to hear the question; we can hear nothing.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I would have thought members were all aware that drum lines —

[Interruption from the gallery.]

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am sure all members know that drum lines and nets—we do not use nets here because there is high bycatch of any indiscriminate —

[Interruption from the gallery.]

Mr C.J. BARNETT: Sixty-six sharks having been caught, there has been no bycatch at all; no dolphins, no turtles—none at all!

Several members interjected.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: None at all!

In response to the supplementary question, if the opposition will just listen —

Mr B.S. Wyatt: There must have been—you released most of them!

Mr C.J. BARNETT: There was no bycatch.

The SPEAKER: Member for Victoria Park, you might be taking an early rest, so just calm down.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: The only creatures that have been caught on these hooks are sharks; no other animal, no other fish.

Members would be aware that drum lines have been used since the 1930s in New South Wales, since the 1960s in Queensland and since the 1950s in Southern Africa. There is a sharp difference in the number of fatalities between New South Wales and Queensland compared with Western Australia. In New South Wales and in parts of Queensland there are nets. People might think nets close off beaches—they do not. They are at the base of the ocean and they trap everything—anything and everything. We deliberately decided we would use only drum lines.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: So, having looked at all that —

Mr W.J. Johnston: Are you scared of answering the question?

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am answering the question.

Mr W.J. Johnston: No, you’re not.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: So therefore we decided that in Western Australia we would only —

Mr W.J. Johnston: So why take them away? That was the question.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: It was decided not to use nets, only drum lines, to use large hooks—in fact larger ones were specifically made to minimise other catch or smaller sharks or anything else—and it was decided to put them one kilometre offshore. In Queensland they are far, far closer to the shore. There were a variety of reasons for that. They are one kilometre out. Only about 10 days ago there were sharks larger than three metres off Floreat, Cottesloe and Leighton. If they are caught one kilometre out, it would seem to me that they are also travelling between that kilometre and the beach.

With respect to the HBF Rottnest Channel Swim, clearly a baited hook is going to attract sharks.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time.

[ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 18 February 2014] 137

That would be totally irresponsible, and at the request of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association those hooks have been removed from Cottesloe and North Cottesloe well before the swim. I would have thought that was the most obvious point; it amazes me that the opposition should have to ask a question on that.

Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD)

THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION 2014 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 20 February, 2014.

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM

MR D.J. KELLY (Bassendean) [12.19 pm]:

I draw the Premier’s attention to the inconsistencies surrounding drum lines and the Rottnest Island swim.

The organisers wanted the drum lines removed because they thought the beach would not be as safe.

The Minister for Police talked nonsense the other day when she said that swimmers might swim into them or boats might get fouled on the drum lines.

At least the Premier was honest when he said that it was actually because sharks would be attracted to the drum lines.

Thursday‎, ‎20‎ ‎February‎ ‎2014:

Email:

Thursday‎, ‎20‎ ‎February‎ ‎2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

To: Buswell, Minister: minister.buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au

Subject: 2014 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

MacLaren Lyn: Lynn.MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Christine Milne senator.milne@aph.gov.au

Re: 2014 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

Dear Sir,

On Saturday 22 February, 2014, myself, family and friends will be participating in the above event.

We will be leaving from the beach directly in front of the Trigg’s Island Surf Lifesaving Club main lookout tower at 0800hrs, proceeding in a WESTERLY direction for a distance of one (1) nautical mile, then returning to shore.

In view of your Government’s current policy of baited hooks at Perth metropolitan beaches to attract and catch sharks, I expect you to meet your associated responsibilities by taking the necessary measures to address any safety issues that may arise regarding sharks, during the course of this event.

Thank you.

Rose Donohue.

Sent from Windows Mail

Saturday, 22February, 2014. AM.

The Woodside, South32, B.H.P, Rio Tinto, Santos, Exon

Cottesloe Beach – Rottnest Island Swim

The Premier of Western Australia, Colon Barnett. Drum lines removed five days prior to the swim event

Saturday, 22 February, 2014, AM.

Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

Drum lines re-baited by Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel P.V. “Houtman” at the specific time and location of the swim event, as advised prior to the event.

Saturday, 22February, 2014, PM:

Transport Minister Troy Buswell consumes alcohol.

Sunday February 23, 2014, AM:

Minister Troy Buswell crashes his ministerial vehicle into four cars, a power pole and his own gate on his way home from a wedding

party at Frazer’s Restaurant, King’s Park, where he consumed alcohol.

An eyewitness report to police indicated that Minister Troy Buswell was suffering from impaired coordination.

Another witness said he had to stop his vehicle to avoid being struck by Minister Troy Buswell’s white Holden Caprice on Roberts Road.

The witness said Minister Troy Buswell then crashed into the front fence of his own home and spun the car’s tyres before managing to park in the driveway.

Minister Troy Buswell’s chief of staff, Rachael Turnseck, drove to Minister Troy Buswell’s house and then drove him to her residence.

Sunday February 23, 2014, PM:

Minister Troy Buswell uses his chief of staff, Rachael Turnseck’s government vehicle to go to lunch with his children and then retrace his crash route through Subiaco.

Monday, February 24 2014:

The Premier, Mr Barnett claims that Minister Troy Buswell’s chief of staff, Rachael Turnseck, telephoned him the previous day, to advise him that Minister Troy Buswell was taking sick leave, but did not mention anything about his car crash.

Monday, 24‎ ‎February‎ ‎2014:

From: Buswell, Minister: minister.buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au

To: jawesome@hotmail.com

Cc: Baston, Minister: minister.baston@dpc.wa.gov.au

From: Buswell, Minister: minister.buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au

To: jawesome@hotmail.com

Cc: Baston, Minister: minister.baston@dpc.wa.gov.au

Dear Ms Donohue,

Thank you for your email to the Hon Troy Buswell MLA, Treasurer; Minister for Transport.

As the matter you have raised falls within the responsibility of the Minister for Fisheries your correspondence has been forwarded to the office of the Hon Ken Baston MLC for their consideration.

Thank you for contacting the Treasurer; Minister for Transport.

Office of the Hon Troy Buswell MLA

Treasurer; Minister for Transport

Level 13, Dumas House

2 Havelock Street

WEST PERTH WA 6005

Ph: (08) 6552 6400 | Fax: (08) 6552 6401

Email: minister.buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au | Website: www.dpc.wa.gov.au

25‎ ‎February‎ ‎2014:

From: Rose Donohue:jawesome@hotmail.com

Subject: Shark Mitigation Policy

To: MacLaren Lyn: Lynn.MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

Re: Shark Mitigation Policy

Please find attached for your information. I have also forwarded a copy to Christine Milne.

Please feel free to do with it what you please.

Also, I was hoping that you could ascertain whether the WA Police have the authority to compel a person, who has just been passively ejected from the PUBLIC gallery, of State Parliament, to provide their full personal details.

This was the case at the most recently ejection from the PUBLIC gallery of Parliament, I believe.

Also, I am in a position to provide a witnessed and signed Record of Interview, detailing the full events that occurred at Trigg’s Beach last Saturday involving Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel and shark attract, catch and kill industrial fishing equipment.

I will bring a copy to our next meeting for your perusal.

Thank you.

Rose Donohue.

Sent from Windows Mail

Thursday, 27 February 2014 12:30

From: Office of Lynn MacLaren MLC: southmetro2@mp.wa.gov.au

Subject: Circumstances when you must answer police questions

To: jawesome@hotmail.com.au Dear Rose.

I understand that you had a question about the authority of the police.

Yes, the police can require someone to provide their personal details.

Personal details are your name, your current address or address where you usually live and your date of birth.

I have copied references to this from Legal Aid below.

Please continue to challenge the Government’s shark initiative by voicing your opposition to their policies.

Best regards

Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region

Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia

Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160

Tel 08 9430 7233

southmetro2@mp.wa.gov.au

www.LynnMacLaren.org.au

‎6‎ ‎March, ‎2014:

From: WA-Government To: Rose Donohue: jawesome2hotmail.com

Our Ref: 24-407402

Dear Ms Donohue.

Thank you for your email dated regarding the 2014 Trigg Island Swim.

Unfortunately your email was received too late for advice to be sought and a response provided to you prior to the event.

However, as the issue has received significant media attention, we trust that appropriate and responsible action was taken to ensure the swimmers’ safety during the course of the event.

Regards

Western Australian Government

Ref: 24-465597

Dear Ms Donohue

Thank you for your email dated 11 March advising of the ‘2015 Swim 4 Sharks’ that will be held at regular intervals throughout March, and the allegations you have made regarding your personal safety being compromised by a Department of Fisheries Vessel and personal injuries sustained by yourself from shark fishing equipment deployed off Trigg Beach.

The matters you have raised are serious and it would be helpful if you could provide further information on both incidents including, date and time of the incidents, the manner in which you sustained a personal injury, the extent of this injury and any other details you can provide.

This is a serious matter and one that we will investigate further with the Department of Fisheries based on your advice.

Baited drum lines are deployed approximately one kilometre off the metropolitan and south west coast and their presence, including the establishment of a 50 metre exclusion zone for which penalties apply if breached intentionally, has received considerable coverage in the media.

We understand that further Swim 4 Sharks events are to take place, and ask therefore that in the planning for these events consideration is given to the exclusion zones that apply around the placement of drum lines.

We look forward to receiving further information from you regarding the two incidents you have noted so that an appropriate investigation can be undertaken.

Regards Western Australian Government

9 March, 2014:

Troy Buswell telephones Colon Barnett to tender resignation.

10 March, 2014:

Colon Barnett press conference announcing Troy Buswell resignation.

11 March 2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

Subject: 2015 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

To: Premier Colon Barnett: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

MacLaren Lyn: Lynn.MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Colon Barnett,

Premier of Western Australia.

Parliament House, Perth, Western Australia.

Re: 2015 Swim 4 Sharks.

Group Training Sessions, Trigg’s Beach, from now until Saturday 22nd March, 2015.

Please be advised that the next group training session for the 2015 Swim 4 Sharks will be conducted on Saturday 15th March at 0800 hrs and as otherwise indicated in my earlier advices to you.

In view of your Government’s current policy of baited hooks at Perth metropolitan beaches to attract, catch and slaughter sharks, you have a legal obligation to meet your associated responsibilities by taking the necessary measures to address any safety issues or increased risk to the personal safety of those involved, that have come into existence as a consequence of your actions.

Disappointingly, you did not even afford me the basic courtesy of responding to my most recent advice to you, regarding the last group training session of Saturday 8th March 2014, in which I sought your assurance that you would take whatever measures necessary to mitigate the extra risk to the personal safety of swimmers and their support craft personnel.

You, and the government that you represent, is responsible for transforming a safe, pristine, unpolluted environment into an extremely dangerous and hazardous area for the general public, and, in particular, people that choose to participate in long distance ocean swimming events in off shore coastal waters at our local Perth metropolitan beaches.

Once again, I ask you to advise me, prior to the next training session, what measures you will ensure are deployed / implemented for the next training session of Saturday 15th March, 2014, to mitigate the increased risk to swimmers and their support teams, of which you and the government are liable for.

Also, I participated in the first Swim 4 Sharks, conducted on Saturday 22 February 2014, as advised to you in my email of 20th February, 2014.

During the course of this event, I suffered personal injury as a consequence of the shark fishing equipment that has been set off shore from Trigg’s Island.

I also believe that the conduct of the Fisheries Department vessel that was also at my location was negligent and further put the safety of myself and other swimmers at even greater risks.

Fisheries Officers re-baited the hooks on both drum lines with fresh baits while I was in the vicinity.

The vessel involved also came close to colliding with me on two occasions.

Be assured, I will be taking this second matter further and you will be hearing from me regarding this in the very near future.

Rose Donohue.

14 March 2014:

Attendance at my residence:

Tactical Response Group:

Armed:

March 18, 2025:

WA’s former treasurer Troy Buswell will not return to work for at least three more weeks following his ministerial resignation

Former West Australian treasurer Troy Buswell is unlikely to return to parliament until at least April 10.

Mr Buswell stepped down from cabinet last week following revelations he was hospitalised for 10 days after a mental breakdown in the wake of a car crash in the early hours of February 23.

26 March 2014:

From: Colin Barnett MLA, Premier of Western Australia

To: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

Dear Ms Donohue.

Thank you for your email of 19 March regarding the response from the Western Australian Government enquiry line to your previous emails which were submitted to this enquiry line.

The Western Australian Government enquiry line is a mechanism for members of the community to contact the Government on issues of concern and have an appropriate response provided following consultation with the relevant Minister’s office regarding the content of that response.

As such the email you received was on behalf of the Government and in response to an issue that you had raised though this means of communication.

I note the information you have provided about Swim 4 Sharks, and while I acknowledge the right of every Western Australian to express their views regarding government policies, I ask that you take the necessary precautions to ensure that the activities you are engaging in are done so in safety.

I reiterate also the content of the previous email to you from the Government enquiry line that the matters you raised with respect to personal injuries are serious allegations and I will seek advice on this matter.

However, in order to do so can you please provide further information on the date and time of the incidents, the manner in which you sustained the injury, the extent of the injury and any other details you consider appropriate.

I also reiterate the comments from the previous email that baited drum lines are deployed of the metropolitan and South West coast, and their presence and the corresponding 50 metre exclusion zone have received considerable media coverage.

I request that any further events planned in the vicinity of these drum lines take into account the exclusion zones and that the necessary precautions are taken.

Yours sincerely

Colin Barnett MLA

2 April‎ ‎2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

Subject: 2015 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

To: Premier Colon Barnett: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

MacLaren Lyn: MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Re: Western Australian State Government, Duty of Care to The Public of Western Australia.

2015 Swim 4 Sharks Group Training Sessions, Trigg’s Beach.

Next training session: this Saturday 5th April, 2014.

Mr Barnet.

Please be advised that the next group training session for the 2015 Swim 4 Sharks will be conducted on Saturday 5th April, at 0800 hrs and as otherwise indicated in my earlier advices to you.

Disappointingly, you did not even afford me the basic courtesy of responding to my most recent advice to you, regarding the last group training session in which I sought your assurance that you would take whatever measures necessary to mitigate the extra risk to the personal safety of swimmers and their support craft personnel.

Once again, I ask you to advise me, prior to the next training session, what measures you will ensure are deployed / implemented for the next training session of Saturday 5th April, 2015, to mitigate the increased risk to swimmers and their support teams, of which you and the government are liable for.

Also, I participated in the first Swim 4 Sharks conducted on Saturday 22 February, 2014, as advised to you in my email of 20^th February, 2014.

During the course of this event, I suffered personal injury as a consequence of the shark fishing equipment that has been set off shore from Trigg’s Island

I also believe that the conduct of the Fisheries Department vessel that was also at my location was negligent and further put the safety of myself and other swimmers at even greater risks.

Fisheries Officers re-baited the hooks on both drum lines with fresh baits while I was in the vicinity.

The vessel involved also came close to colliding with me on two occasions.

Be assured, I will be taking this second matter further and you will be hearing from me regarding this in the very near future.

Rose Donohue.

02/04/2014 13:20

Sent from Windows Mail

‎2 April‎ ‎2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

Subject: 2014 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

To: Premier Colon Barnett: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au

Cc: Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

MacLaren Lyn: MacLaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Re: Western Australian State Government, Duty of Care to the Public of Western Australia.

2015 Swim 4 Sharks (that can’t)- Group Training Sessions, Trigg’s Beach.

Next training session: this Saturday 5th April, 2014.

Mr Barnet,

In the interests of the Health, Safety and Welfare of the Western Australian Public, in accordance with The Western Australian State Government’s Duty of Care to the Public of Western Australia and further to my correspondence to you earlier today, please advise forthwith as to the exact location (G.P.S coordinates Latitude and Longitude) of ALL shark cull / fishing equipment that is currently deployed at Perth metropolitan beaches.

You are obliged to provide these details immediately.

Failure to do so will further contribute to the negligent conduct displayed thus far by You (Western Australian government) with the implementation of the current shark fishing / culling program, and, also the conduct of Department of Fisheries employees aboard Fisheries Department of Western Australia Patrol Vessels whilst operating the shark fishing / culling equipment deployed at Perth metropolitan beaches as referred to above.

Your urgent response to this request is required as to allow for the proper planning and risk mitigation of recreational aquatic activities and events that are to be conducted in the future in the inshore coastal waters of the Perth metropolitan region.

Rose Donohue.

02/04/2014 16:28

‎‎

3‎ ‎April‎ ‎2014:

From: WA-Government

Subject: 2014 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

To: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail,com

Our Ref: 24-471308

Dear Ms Donohue.

Thank you for your emails of 1.21pm and 4.34 pm on 2 April regarding the 2015 Swim 4 Sharks and the placement of drum lines along the metropolitan coast.

Previous emails to the Government and the Premier, along similar lines, have been responded to (copy of Premier’s response attached).

The Government will not release the longitudes and latitudes of drum lines placed along the coast as this would provide specific information to those who may be interested in engaging in the illegal activity of tampering with fishing gear deployed for a lawful fishing activity.

These drum lines are easily identifiable because they have several large fluorescent buoys which can be observed from a distance.

Further, given your previous correspondence and swim events you would be aware of the location of these drum lines and the 50 metre exclusion zone that exists around them.

Thank you for contacting the Government to advise of the event you will be conducting on Saturday 5 April.

Regards

Western Australian Government

4 April 2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com

Subject: 2015 Trigg’s Island Swim 4 Sharks.

To: Minister for Fisheries: Minister.Baston@dcp.wa.gov.au

Subject: 2015 Swim 4 Sharks Group training sessions Trigg’s Island Beach.

Re: Western Australian State Government, Duty of Care to the Public of Western Australia.

2015 Swim 4 Sharks (that can’t)- Group Training Sessions, Trigg’s Beach.

Next training session: this Saturday 5th April, 2014.

Mr Barnet,

You are obliged to provide these details immediately.

Rose Donohue.

9 April 2014:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail,com

Subject: 2015 Swim 4 Sharks Group training sessions Trigg’s Island Beach.

To: Attorney General, Minister Mischin: minister.mischin@dpc.wa.gov.au

Cc: Hon. Lynn Ellen MacLaren MLC: lynn.maclaren@mp.wa.gov.au

Mark McGowan: Leader@loop.wa.gov.au

Christine Milne: senator.milne@aph.gov.au

Dear Colon,

My correspondence to you of 4th April, 2015, at 12:45, that was sent to your Parliament House email address was rejected / quarantined.

My email to your Cottesloe Electoral Office email address has been ignored.

Please be advised of the following:

The next group training session for the 2015 Swim 4 Sharks will be at 0800hrs on Saturday 12th of April 14, at Trigg’s Island Beach, as per my pervious advices you regarding this matter.

Rose Donohue.

APRIL:

Western Australian Police:

Attendance at my residence:

Inspector Steven Post:

“As representive for, and on behalf of, Commissoner, Western Australian Police, Karl O’Callaghan”

6 May 2014:

Former WA treasurer Troy Buswell apologises for car crashes, reveals bipolar diagnosis.

Former WA treasurer Troy Buswell has revealed he suffers from bipolar disorder and apologised for his recent behaviour, in his first public comments about a series of car crashes that led to his resignation from Cabinet.

Speaking outside State Parliament today, he said he was “embarrassed” and “mortified” after crashing his ministerial vehicle into parked cars while returning home to Subiaco from a wedding in Kings Park in the early hours of February 23

Last week, Mr Buswell was fined more than $3,000 and banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to 11 traffic charges.

May 26 2017:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com.au

To: The Premier, Mark McGowan; Minister for Fisheries, Dave Kelly, Minister Rita Safiotti, Minister for Transport.

Subject: Re: Public Health, Safety and Welfare.

The Premier, Mr Mark McGowan, State Government of Western Australia.

The Minister for Fisheries, Mr Dave Kelly, State Government of Western Australia

The Minister for Transport, Ms. Rita Safiott, State Government of western Australia.

Dear Sirs / Madam.

As advised previously, I was involved in a near miss collision at sea with a WA Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel on Saturday 22nd February 2014, at a location approximately one-kilometre due west from Trigg’s Island, at approximately 0900 hours.

Please provide all relevant details pertaining to that incident, specifically:

• The name of the Patrol Vessel involved

• The precise actual location of the fishing equipment that was being worked by that vessel at that time.

• The duties that were performed by that Vessel at that time at that location.

Observations or recordings of the Master of that Vessel detailed in the Ships Log at that time and at that location.

Respectfully,

Rose Donohue.

Corruption and Crime Commission Rose Donohue

PO Box 7667 21 Trigg Place

Cloisters Square Trigg, WA

St Georges Terrace 6023 email:jawesome@hotmail.com

Perth, WA.

6850.

Western Australian State Government-Serious Misconduct

The Premier, Mr. Colin J.Barnett.

I allege:

conduct that was a threat to public safety,
conduct that compromised my personal safety,
conduct that resulted in personal injury to myself,
conduct that involves the concealment of that conduct,
the impact of that conduct resulted in a miscarriage of justice and denied me lawful rights and entitlements.

The alleged misconduct relates to the W.A. State Government Shark Mitigation program that was implemented in the summer of 2014.

On the 20th February 2014, I advised the W.A. Government, specifically the Premier Mr. Colin Barnett, of my intention to participate in an open water swim event on Saturday 22/02/2014, in company with family and friends. This had been a regular recreational activity during summer for the previous ten years.

This Triggs Island open water swim event coincided with the HBF 2014 Rottnest Island Channel open water swim event from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.

To mitigate the extra risks to those swimmers in the HBF Cottesloe to Rottnest Island event associated with the shark fishing equipment deployed off Cottesloe beach, that equipment was removed from the water by the W.A. Government five days prior to that event,

18/02/2014.

Please refer to Extract from Hansard,

[ ASSEMBLY-Tuesday 18 February 2014 ]

p135b-137a

Mr. Dave Kelly; Mr. Colib Barnett.

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM.

Extract from Hansard

[ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 18 February 2014] p135b-137a

Mr Dave Kelly; Mr Colin Barnett

[1]

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM

11. Mr D.J. KELLY to the Premier:

Mr C.J. BARNETT replied:

I think that is obvious. Surely the member for Bassendean understands that point.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Nobody can hear anything.

Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Riverton, I formally call you to order for the first time today.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: I want to hear the question; we can hear nothing.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I would have thought members were all aware that drum lines — [Interruption from the gallery.]

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am sure all members know that drum lines and nets—we do not use nets here because there is high bycatch of any indiscriminate — [Interruption from the gallery.]

Mr C.J. BARNETT: Sixty-six sharks having been caught, there has been no bycatch at all; no dolphins, no turtles—none at all!

Several members interjected.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: None at all!

In response to the supplementary question, if the opposition will just listen — Mr B.S. Wyatt: There must have been—you released most of them!

Mr C.J. BARNETT: There was no bycatch.

The SPEAKER: Member for Victoria Park, you might be taking an early rest, so just calm down.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: The only creatures that have been caught on these hooks are sharks; no other animal, no other fish.

Mr D.J. Kelly: Answer the question.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am answering the member for Bassendean’s question.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: So, having looked at all that — Mr W.J. Johnston: Are you scared of answering the question?

Mr C.J. BARNETT: I am answering the question.

Mr W.J. Johnston: No, you’re not.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: So therefore we decided that in Western Australia we would only — Mr W.J. Johnston: So why take them away? That was the question.

The SPEAKER: Member for Cannington, I do not need a running commentary; I call you to order for the second time.

Extract from Hansard

[ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 18 February 2014] p135b-137a

Mr Dave Kelly; Mr Colin Barnett

[2]

With respect to the HBF Rottnest Channel Swim, clearly a baited hook is going to attract sharks.

Several members interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time.

Mr C.J. BARNETT: Members do not have to be rocket scientists to know that a fish will swim to where the bait is—that is how fish are caught. The Rottnest swim will be on Saturday morning—I will start it again—and there will be around 2 000 swimmers. As if anyone would leave baited hooks in the pathway of the swimmers! That would be totally irresponsible, and at the request of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association those hooks have been removed from Cottesloe and North Cottesloe well before the swim. I would have thought that was the most obvious point; it amazes me that the opposition should have to ask a question on that.”

In my correspondence to the Premier on 20/02/2014, I :

advised that we would be leaving from the the beach directly in front of the Triggs Island Surf Lifesaving Club main lookout tower at 0800 hours, proceeding in a WESTERLY direction for a distance of one nautical mile, then returning to shore.
requested that all necessary measures be taken by the W.A Government to mitigate any safety issues or increased risks to the personal safety of those involved in the event, associated with the shark fishing equipment deployed off Triggs beach.

On Saturday 22/02/2014, at approximately 0700 hours, I arrived at the Triggs Island Point car-park, in company with friends and family.

From this location and at this time, I observed :
coloured floats located approximately one kilometre WEST of Triggs Island,
a Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel, stationary, located approximately one kilometre WEST of North Scarborough / Contacio beach.

At this time, I was encouraged and re-assured by the presence of the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel, believing that my safety concerns had been acted upon, that is, either that the shark fishing equipment had already been removed or was shortly to be removed from the water and that the attendance of the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel indicated that measures had been, or were being, taken by the W.A. Government to mitigate the extra risks associated with the shark fishing equipment.

At 0800 hours, I departed from the the beach directly in front of the Triggs Island Surf Lifesaving Club main lookout tower and proceeded in a WESTERLY direction.

Shortly thereafter, I stopped swimming to rest and re-assess my position. I observed that the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was underway and proceeding in a NORTHERLY direction. Re-assured and comforted by this, I resumed swimming in a WESTERLY direction.

At approximately this time also, I was joined by a I.R.B. (inflatable rescue boat) from the Triggs Island Surf Lifesaving Club, crewed by two people, one of whom I recognised as an acquaintance. They enquired as to my welfare, if any assistance was required and as to my intended movements. I advised of the latter and indicated that no assistance was required at that time.

Approximately 500 metres from shore, I stopped again to rest and re-assess my position. I observed that the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was still on a course slowing heading NORTH. Again, re-assured and comforted by this, I resumed swimming in a WESTERLY direction.

Approximately 750 metres from shore, , I stopped again to rest and re-assess my position. At this time, I observed that the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was now on a course heading directly at me, at an increased speed and a short distance from me.

At this time, I waved my arms above my head and splashed the water repeatedly to ensure that I could be seen by the the crew aboard the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel. The Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel then altered course to port and proceed to the NORTH WEST of me, at the same increased speed.

At this time, I became concerned and uncertain as to the actions and intentions of the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel. It appeared to me that either the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was not aware of my presence, or, was intentionally disregarding or ignoring my presence.

Also at this time, I became aware that the prevailing weather (wind, tide, current) conditions were significantly more than had been forecasted and that my return swim to shore would be significantly more physically demanding and arduous.

After resting and reassessing my position and now being concerned for my safety, I proceeded as fast as I could swim towards the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel, which had now slowed to a slower speed.

Approximately 50 meters from the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel, I stopped to rest and reassess my position. I observed that the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was now stationary. I observed that the crew appeared to be handling the coloured floats that had been visible to me from the shore prior to the commencement of my swim.

At this time, it became apparent to me that the crew aboard the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel were actually re-baiting the hooks of the shark fishing equipment and re-deploying that equipment at the same location.

At that time, I became alarmed, distressed and extremely scared. I was extremely concerned for my safety.

Already exhausted from my previous short burst of swimming, I swam as fast as I could towards the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel. When I was approximately 10-15 metres from the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel, I heard the engine noise of the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel increase. I stopped and observed the Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel moving away from me and head in a NORTHERLY direction.

I then swam directly towards the floats attached to the shark fishing equipment that were now clearly visible to me.

I held myself to the ropes and floats of the shark fishing equipments and removed the still frozen baits from the freshly baited hooks. (x2)

I injured my right hand and left leg due to the hooks or wires or shackles of the shark fishing equipment.

At this time, I was physically exhausted, emotionally distressed and extremely scared.

I was approximately one kilometre offshore with a moderate to strong EASTERLY wind blowing against me for my return leg swim to shore. I couldn’t even see the shoreline due to the ‘white caps’ or wind-waves being generated by the EASTERLY wind.

The Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel was nowhere to be seen.

At this time:

I was at the location of freshly baited shark fishing equipment.
I had muscle cramps in both of my legs.
I was bleeding.
I was alone.

I rested and re-assessed my position. I calculated the best course to take for my return swim to shore considering the prevailing wind, tide and currents at that time.

After approximately 10-15 minutes, I proceeded in a NORTH EASTERLY direction to return to shore at Triggs Island.

Later that day, I took notes and recorded the events of that morning.

I also became aware that during the course of that day, various members of Triggs Island Surf Club had been questioned by W.A Police regarding the events of that morning.

On Tuesday 11 March 2014, I advised the W.A. Government, the Premier, Colin Barnett of the events of 22 February.

The following is an extract from that advice:

” I participated in the first Swim 4 Sharks( that can’t), conducted on Saturday 22 February, 2014, as advised to you in my email of 20th February, 2014.

During the course of this event I suffered personal injury as a consequence of the shark fishing equipment that has been set off shore from Trigg’s Island.

I also believe that the conduct of the Fisheries Department vessel that was also at my location was negligent and further put the safety of myself and other swimmers at even greater risks.

Fisheries Officers re-baited the hooks on both drum lines with fresh baits while I was in the vicinity.

The vessel involved also came close to colliding with me on two occasions.

Be assured, I will be taking this second matter further and you will be hearing from me regarding this in the very near future.

Ross O’Donoghue.”

To this date, I have not received a response to that advice.

26 May 2017:

I advised the W.A. Government, the Premier, Mr. Mark McGowan and the Minister for Fisheries, Mr Dave Kelly of the events of 22 February 2014. The following is an extract from that advice:

” Re: Public Health, Safety and Welfare.

As advised previously, I was involved in a near miss collision at sea with a W.A. Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel on Saturday 22nd February 2014, at a location approximately one kilometre due west of Triggs Island, at approximately 0900 hours.

Please provide all relevant details pertaining to that incident, specifically:

The name of the Patrol Vessel involved.
The precise actual location of the fishing equipment that was being worked by that Vessel at that time at that location.
That duties that were performed by that Vessel at that time at that location.

Observations or recordings of the Master of that Vessel detailed in the Ships Log at that time and at that location.”

To this date, I have not received a response to that advice.

6 June 2017:

I forwarded the above advice to the W.A.

Government, Minister for Transport, Ms. Rita Saffiotti.

To this date, I have not received a response to that advice.

Respectfully submitted for your consideration.

Ross O’Donoghue.

Date: Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.

5 July 2017:

Email / letter from Minister for Fisheries Dave Kelly, via Heather Brayford, Deputy Director General, Fisheries Department, WA Government.

Saturday, 4 October 2025:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com

Sent: Saturday, 4 October 2025 11:31 AM To: Premier Roger Cook: Minister.Cook@dcp.wa.gov.au; Minister for Fisheries: Ms. Jackie Jarvis Minister.Jarvis@dpc.wa.gov.au Subject: Your Ref: 41/17

Dear Premier and Minister.

I refer to my most recent correspondence regarding this matter.

Please supply me with a copy of my detailed Statement pertaining to events of 22nd February, 2014, as provided to Mr. Mark McGowan and Mr. Dave Kelly.

Warm regards.

Sincerely,

Rose Donohue.

Sunday, 5 October 2025:

From: Rose Donohue: jawesome@hotmail.com

Sent: Sunday, 5 October 2025 7:24 PM To: Premier Roger Cook: Minister.Cook@dcp.wa.gov.au; Minister for Fisheries: Ms. Jackie Jarvis Minister.Jarvis@dpc.wa.gov.au Subject: Your Ref: 41/17

Dear Sir and Madam.

Please disregard my previous email.

I have found my copy.

Thank you.

Warm regards.

Sincerely.

Rose Donohue.

Sunday 12/10/2005 9:12 AM

Freedom.Of.Information@police.wa.gov.au

Re: FOI request:

Good morning.

As Western Australian Police attended at my residence on more than one occasion in early 2014, could you please confirm that this reference number pertains to Police attendance at my residence by the Tactical Response Group, as stipulated in my request.

I am not interested in the occasion of the attendance by Inspector Steven Post.

Thank you.

28/10/2025:

The Minister for POLICE, State Government of Western Australia

RE: Freedom of information application: Ross Michael O’Donoghue.

In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act I request to be provided copes of all documents, in any for or format, digital or hard copy, including emails, that pertain to me in any way, including but not exclusively, with regard to:

Interaction with plain clothed Officers of Western Australian Police, State Security, Western Australian Police, at Parliament house on the first sitting day of Parliament for the year, in January or February, 2014, when I was required to provide my personal details
The attendance of Western Australian Police Inspector Steven Post at my residence.

28/10/2025:

The Minister for TRANSPORT, State Government of Western Australia

RE: Freedom of information application: Ross MicO’Donoghue.

My email to the Minister of 20 February 2014 that was forwarded to The Minister for Fisheries, as stated by the Minister in his email to me of 24 February 2014.
The source, identity, and form of the notification to Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel McLaughan, at about 0900 hrs on 22 February 2014, regarding the presence of a swimmer in the vicinity of the shark drum lines off Triggs Beach, as advised to me in writing by Director, Heather Bradford.

28/10/2025:

The Premier,

Department of Premier and Cabinent.

State Government of Western Australia

RE: Freedom of information application: Ross O’Donoghue.

My email to Premier Colon Barnett dated 19 March 2014, as referred to in his email to me of 26 March,

The true identity of the author / authors of all the anonymous emails to me at either of my personal email addresses, ubewtee@hotmail.com, or, jawesome@hotmail.com, signed anonymously as:

“WA GOVERNMENT”

Thank you.

Ross O’Donoghue

Clarification: FOI application: The Minister for TRANSPORT,

RE:

Freedom of information application: Ross O’Donoghue.

Further to my Application of 5/11/2025, and in order to reduce the scope of that application and simplify that process, and in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act I request to be provided copes of:

A date and time stamped received copy of my email to Minister for Transport Buswell of 20 February 2014 giving notice of a public open water ocean swimming event on 22/02/2014, that was forwarded to The Minister for Fisheries Baston, being the Minister responsible, as stated by Minister for Transport Buswell in his email to me of 24 February 2014.

Date and time stamped copies of documents / emails and manner of the above notification / referral / forwarded by Minister for Transport Buswell to Minister for Fisheries Baston, being the Minister responsible.

Details of the source, identity, and form of the notification to Fisheries department Patrol Vessel McLaughan, at about 0900 hrs on 22 February 2014, regarding the presence of a swimmer in the vicinity of the shark drum lines, as advised to me in writing by Director, Department of Primary Industry and Resource Development, Heather Bradford, of 05/07/2017.

In this letter to me, Ms. Brayford refers only to a “Departmental Officer” and as such is not clear if she is referring to a Fisheries Department Officer or a Transport Department Officer.

I hope that this clarifies the specifics of my two separate and distinct FOI applications to the Department of Transport and Department for Industry and Resource Development.

Thank you,

Warm regards,

Ross O’Donoghue.

Minister, Department of industry and Resources Development, State Government of Western Australia

FOI FOI@dpird.wa.gov.au

Minister for Department of Industry and Resources Development.

RE:

Freedom of information application: Ross Michael O’Donoghue.

To further reduce the scope of my current Freedom of Information application and simplify the process, please be advised that I request copies of:

Copy of time and date stamped received copy of email to Minister for Fisheries Baston from Transport Buswell, giving notice of a public open water ocean swimming event being held on 22/02/2014, as advised by me in my email to him of 20/02/2014.

The source, identity and form of the notification to Fisheries Department Patrol Vessel McLaughlan, on 22/02/2014, regarding the presence of swimmer/s at the location of shark drum lines offshore from Triggs, as advised to me by Director Heather Brayford in her letter to me of 5/07/2017.

In this letter to me, Ms. Brayford refers only to a “Departmental Officer” and as such is not clear if she is referring to a Fisheries Department Officer or a Transport Department Officer.

Many thanks.

Kind Regards,

Ross O’Donoghue.