Western Australia has joined Queensland in offering a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to the prosecution of anyone responsible for the sewing needles found inside strawberries across the country.
WA premier Mark McGowan said that, if caught and convicted, the person or persons responsible would be “subject to a 20-year period of imprisonment“. A similar reward has been offered by Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said that those responsible could face up to 10 years in jail, if not more.
McGowan has urged people to support the strawberry growing industry by continuing to buy strawberries. “It is more important than ever that the WA community gets behind our State’s strawberry growers and buys local,” McGowan said.
“The strawberry industry delivers major benefits to our economy and employs hundreds of Western Australians – they need our support and the best way to do that is to get out and buy WA strawberries.
“Local strawberries are of the highest quality and we want to make sure that everyone can keep enjoying them.
“Every Western Australian should understand that they can still purchase and eat locally grown strawberries. In light of recent events, they should simply cut them before eating.”
Anyone with any information they think might be helpful is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
