Page 2574 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Madam Speaker, the banning of animals from circuses was an overreaction and perhaps was based on misinformation. A number of surveys were conducted at the time. One of them showed that 53.89 per cent of Canberrans had been to a circus in the last five years. A North Sydney Council report asked the question, "Should circuses with performing animals be banned from operating on public land?", and 57.21 per cent of respondents said no, they should not. In 1992 there was an ACT survey, Madam Speaker, and the question was asked, "Should circuses with exotic animals be banned?", to which 59.8 per cent said, "Do not ban them", 28.5 per cent said that they favoured a ban and 11.7 per cent said that they were undecided. Close to 60 per cent of Canberra citizens at the time did not want circuses banned.
Madam Speaker, the only people who have benefited from the ban on circuses here are the people and the businesses of Queanbeyan. I will now read two extracts, one from the Queanbeyan Chronicle of 2 May and the other from the Canberra Chronicle of 3 May. The Queanbeyan Chronicle states:
Queanbeyan's economy is again rubbing its hands with glee at the prospect of the Moscow Circus arriving in town for performances at the Queanbeyan Showground.
The town has reaped the benefits since the ACT Government banned exotic circus animals from performing in Canberra in August 1992.
The ban under the Animal Welfare Bill also forbids the transportation of prohibited animals through the ACT.
Queanbeyan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Edith Buckley welcomed the circus with open arms for both its short and long term benefits.
"It is the best thing the ACT Government has done for Queanbeyan. We love circuses in Queanbeyan because people come here and have a positive experience, see there are many other things to do, and come back for other things," Ms Buckley said.
Queanbeyan Mayor Frank Pangallo said the town benefited more than economically.
"It's very good to have a circus, as it does a lot for our image and maturity.
"[As far as we're concerned] it is a decision that has been made. We're not upset about the decision and their loss is our gain," he said.
Mayor Pangallo said the circus' Cossack Horseman would receive the keys to the city as a gesture of friendship on Wednesday.
The Canberra Chronicle of 9 May carried the headline "Box-office smashed at circus".
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .