Page 1490 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 11 August 1992
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The first thing to say is that, until recent times, most of us have not bothered to look behind the happy facade of the big top. The reassurances of the circuses have provided us with one of society's most comforting myths about the relationship between humans and animals. However, the realities of our appalling exploitation have rather dented the cosy image of man, the strong hunter, in control of the creatures of his domain. Most of us, until recently, have lacked the perceptiveness of someone like Albert Schweitzer, who, more than half a century ago, saw through the mythic surface facade to see brittle human egos at work when he said:
The exhibiting of trained animals I abhor. What an amount of suffering and cruel punishment the poor creatures have to endure in order to give a few moments of pleasure to men devoid of all thought and feeling.
Mr Deputy Speaker, an increasing number of people have now begun to see circuses in relation to the use and exploitation of exotic animals with the same clarity as Schweitzer and to recognise that the cruelty has its roots in inhuman indifference and insensitivity. I would suggest, on what has been put tonight, that no-one exemplifies this better than certain members of the Opposition. Unwitting cruelty is also something which characterises juvenile behaviour, and I will not draw the obvious conclusion in relation to that.
The second point to make is that not only have more and more people begun to see circuses in relation to this question as cruel, but more and more people have come to recognise that other types of barbarism are also inappropriate in a civilised society. The sad truth, Mr Deputy Speaker, is that there are still people in our society who will flock to cockfights and fights between pit bull-terriers. I have no doubt that, were we to reintroduce public hanging, this also would pull some supporters to watch it. I do not accept, Mr Deputy Speaker, the argument about popularity. I suggest that it is entirely fallacious and, in reality, not worthy of serious consideration.
MR DE DOMENICO (10.50): Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise very briefly to suggest to Mr Lamont that he stood up and once again made mention of the names of people who cannot defend themselves. We have grown to expect that sort of behaviour from Mr Lamont. Unlike Mr Lamont, I will not ask to have something tabled. I will read something to you, Mr Deputy Speaker.
Mr Lamont: Is it very long?
MR DE DOMENICO: No, it is not very long, Mr Lamont. It is a letter from a firm of solicitors called Stedman Cameron and it is addressed to Mr T. Clunies-Ross, who I assume is the same person that you quoted and who at that stage was vice-president of Animal Liberation - Victoria, Goulburn Valley Animal Liberation, in Shepparton. It says:
Dear Sir,
Re: Ashtons Circus, Animal Liberation - Victoria.
We confirm that we act for Ashtons Circus and have been handed a press release on the letterhead of "Animal Liberation" -
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