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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 11 Hansard (28 November) . . Page.. 3271 ..
MR SMYTH (continuing):
Mr Rugendyke quizzically raised the issue of cat curfews and how you would restrain a cat. A lot of people do. The recent winner of the housing tenant of the month, I think from Florey, actually built a run in the back of their home for their cat. That cat is able to go in and out of the house at any time. During the day it is allowed to roam free and at night they put it in the run. This is a wonderful example of somebody who loves and cares for their cat but also loves and enjoys the bush environment around their home, particularly the bird life and the bird song in the morning. They found a way to live in harmony and many of us can do that.
We do not want the legislation to have an impact on pensioners or those who are less advantaged. When these bills come into force they will apply only to animals that are born after the date of enactment, so there is no intention to disadvantage those who currently own a dog.
I thank members for their support. I also thank the scrutiny of bills committee for their report. They made some very useful suggestions, the majority of which we have included in the amendments that have been circulated in my name. I would thank Ms Tucker for her amendments. It would have been nice to have got them a little bit earlier for us to work on. But there are some useful amendments, some of which mirror some of my amendments and some of which we will disagree with because we do not believe they will lead to a better system.
One of the things that I do not want to do is enact legislation that fuels neighbourhood disputes, that enables us to use our pets against one another, and will I speak later to some of Ms Tucker's amendments which relate to this matter.
This legislation is a step forward. This, again, is an example of the ACT leading the way in Australia in how we look after our domestic animals. I think it is something we should be proud of.
Ms Tucker spoke about the consultation. It has taken a long time to put this legislation together. I give credit to those who have had a huge amount to do with what is now before us. I refer to the previous political holders of my position who started this process. Also, I acknowledge the way in which staff from the department, who have had a big say in this and some of whom are in the chamber today, went about putting this package together. They have consulted in a very fruitful way and I thank them for all the good work that they do.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Clause 7.
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