Page 1463 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 11 August 1992
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But the great popular uprising has not occurred. The circus lobby had to resort to handing out free tickets to two-year-olds to bolster its claims of support. I have witnessed young children being accosted in the centre of the city and encouraged to sign the petitions that were presented here this morning. Mr De Domenico, Duby-like, thinks that the unwitting cruelty of juveniles is the rock upon which to build government policy. And he wonders why he is not the leader of the Liberals!
There was something in that Canberra Times article on which I have to take issue with Peter Clack. He said:
Mr De Domenico is certainly enthusiastic, but his eagerness for the fray often spills over in the Assembly where he can be heard constantly overriding speakers from his own party.
Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I draw attention to the fact that we are supposed to be debating the Animal Welfare Bill and Mr Lamont's amendment to it. What Mr Clack said in the Canberra Times or some place else about something entirely irrelevant has no place here. Perhaps Mr Lamont ought to keep to the debate, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: I trust that you will remember the ruling about relevance, Mr Lamont.
MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, the rest is extremely appropriate to this issue, as indeed the previous pages have been. This implies that Mr Kaine would not have wanted Mr De Domenico shooting off his mouth about the issue. Of course, Mr Kaine knows that this is not a winner for the Liberals. He knew that there was no future in supporting animal cruelty when he endorsed the report presented when he was in government.
He knows that it is not an extremist view, but that does not mean that he is not happy having Tony act the goose. The truth is that he has left Mr De Domenico holding not just the elephant but the bunny as well. I take my hat off to him. He has cleverly sat back and let Mr De Domenico make a fool of himself - though, heavens above, there was no money lost on that bet. You thought you were the tiger, Mr De Domenico; but you have been outsmarted by the silver fox. I can hardly wait to see how the silver fox lines up Mrs Carnell and Mr Humphries. I am sure he will do it with the consummate grace he has demonstrated on this occasion.
I have the very greatest respect for Animal Liberation as an organisation. I am proud to be associated with Animal Liberation on this issue. They have a very fine record of working for the amelioration of animal cruelty. They may be a radical organisation, but that does not make them extremist. The fact is, however, that this proposal does not even rate the word "radical". The RSPCA policy on the use of animals in entertainment says:
RSPCA Australia is totally opposed to exhibitions or presentations of animals in circuses, travelling menageries and theatres. Circus animals are kept most of the time in close confinement, in abnormal social groups and are continually being transported - all causes of stress. They are subjected to forced training, performing to a timetable and performing acts which do not come naturally to them.
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