Page 550 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 March 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In exchange for the ACT Government’s support under the MoU, the Racing Clubs agreed to meet a range of expectations regarding industry management, including animal welfare obligations. Under the MoU, the Racing Clubs have made a commitment to adopt and participate in a retraining scheme and to cover costs associated with retraining and rehoming suitable horses following their retirement from racing.
The Racing Clubs also agreed to maintain strong adherence to the Australian Rules of Racing and Local Rules of Racing, which include a range of provisions aimed at ensuring retired racing horses’ ongoing welfare.
The objective of the MOU is to provide a well-managed, well-regulated and sustainable industry that works to ensure the ongoing welfare of its horses.
In 2020, ACT Labor made an election commitment to renew the MoU with the Racing Clubs on its expiry for a further term of at least five years. The Government also committed to enter into future discussions with the Racing Clubs concerning industry funding in good faith and in recognition that costs may have risen for the Clubs to maintain the necessary health, welfare and promotion of Club activities. An MoU provides certainty for the sector and sets out the Government’s expectations regarding industry management in exchange for government support, especially the ongoing welfare of racing horses and the workplace rights of those employed in the sector.
The ACT Government understands the petitioners’ concerns and is committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare standards in the ACT, including in the horse racing industry. Through successive terms of Government, the ACT Labor and Greens partnership has introduced some of the most progressive animal welfare reforms in Australia. For example, the Animal Welfare Act 1992 (the Act) recognises the sentience and intrinsic value of animals, and that they deserve to be treated with compassion that reflects their intrinsic value. The Act creates a positive duty to care for the physical and mental welfare of animals. It achieves its overarching objects through a robust regulatory framework that includes inspectors with significant powers to investigate animal welfare concerns, and, where concerns are clearly evidenced, refer such matters for prosecution. Significant penalties apply to animal welfare offences, including fines, bans on owning an animal and terms of imprisonment.
In 2019, as the Minister for City Services, I asked the ACT Government Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) to conduct a review of the Animal Welfare Act Code of Practice relating to the welfare of horses, including racing horses. The AWAC expects to complete its review and report to me with recommendations for strengthening the Code of Practice in early 2021. I look forward to receiving the AWAC’s advice.
My responsibility for the Racing Act 1999 and the Animal Welfare Act allows me to closely monitor each portfolio, to ensure a balance that reflects the economic and social benefits of a financially viable racing industry and achieves best practice in the ongoing welfare of racing horses. I acknowledge the petitioners’ concerns regarding the welfare of racing horses but also this Government’s and the Racing Clubs’ ongoing and demonstrated commitment to animal welfare in the horse racing industry.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video