Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 11 Hansard (28 November) . . Page.. 3267 ..
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Debate (on motion by Ms Tucker ) adjourned to the next sitting.
Debate resumed from 7 September 2000, on motion by Mr Smyth:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR SPEAKER: Is it the wish of the Assembly to debate this bill concurrently with the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2000? There being no objection, that course will be followed. I remind members that in debating executive business order of the day No 4 they may also address their remarks to executive business order of the day No 5.
MR CORBELL (11.53): Mr Speaker, these two bills provide for what can only be described as a significant overhaul of the territory's domestic animal legislation and certain elements of the territory's animal welfare legislation. Perhaps one of the great things about this place is that as well as debating weighty issues of the territory such as health, education and planning we also get to deal with issues to do with nuisance animals. This legislation provides for important changes to issues relating to the proper control and supervision of domestic animals, the exercise of animals, the protection of animals and the protection of human beings from animals which are a nuisance.
There has been a lot of discussion and comment from the community about this bill. Perhaps the most controversial element of the SCAMP package, as it has been called by the government, relates to tail docking. I think it is unfortunate that in many respects that provision is overshadowed by many of the other more significant changes that are outlined in the legislation.
I would like to place on the record, as I have publicly, that the Labor Party will be supporting the amendment that provides for banning in the ACT the practice of tail docking for cosmetic purposes. The Labor Party sees very little reason why the practice of tail docking should be permitted simply for the purposes of showing an animal in a show or some other form of competition.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .