Page 1402 - Week 05 - Thursday, 25 June 1992
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Police as inspectors -
This was proposed in the Policy Statement which received bipartisan support.
This Bill does not confer powers to the police that they do not already , have. They can enter premises under the Crimes Act 1900 where they believe that a crime is being committed. .
Composition of the Animal Welfare. Advisory. Committee
The Bill is not prescriptive in the composition of the Committee; which allows for a change of circumstances. The proposed composition, as detailed in the Policy Statement, is likely to be followed. initially to ensure the Committee is representative of the major interests in animals and animal welfare in the ACT. .
The AWAC will be the mechanism for community consultation in the development of the codes of practice. It is an advisory committee with -. no intrinsic powers. .
Any code of practice or regulation formulated with the advise of the AWAC is subject to disallowance by the ACT Assembly.
Interpretation, of terminology in the Bill
The expert knowledge of the Government Vets, the RSPCA and trained inspectors will be used to determine what constitutes
"cruelty" to animals in particular circumstances. Codes of Practice will also deal with issues such as transporting animals and proper shelter. . .
The meaning of terms such as "cruelty" are ultimately determined. in a
court of law- based on prevailing community standards and accepted
codes of practice. -
Animals in Research
The John Curtin School of Medical Research currently operates in line with the National Health and Medical Research Council .Code of Practice for the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching.. They have an already established Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee for approval of all scientific projects. The Bill will therefore have little practical effect on , that institution.
The ACT Government has been dealing directly with the John Curtin School during he development of the Bill. .They have not expressed any continuing concerns about the matters addressed by the Bill.
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