Page 1563 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 April 2005
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The amendments will also provide for a system of compulsory vendor declaration that requires those selling stock to indicate chemicals and antibiotics used on the animals prior to sale and to provide a statement as to the health of animals to be sold. This requirement is already in place in New South Wales and, as with many stock-handling requirements, ACT farmers are already conversant with it, as they access New South Wales markets.
Finally, a few administrative amendments will ensure that the definitions of “tags” and “infected” are updated to take account of new technology and new diseases. A related matter is the Stock Bill 2005, which I will also be speaking to when we get to that—later today, hopefully.
I thank members for their contribution to the debate. I have heard members indicate that they would have liked more time. The bill was tabled some weeks ago. I believe there has been sufficient time for it to be considered and scrutinised to allow this debate to continue and conclude today. It is the government’s intention that it do so. My office has been available at all times to all members and has answered rigorously and immediately every request for advice that it has received, has answered every question fully that has been asked of it, and has at all times stood ready to assist any member that required any more information in relation to the matter.
Issues have been raised in relation to comments made by the scrutiny of bills committee. They have been responded to. The government’s position in relation to those is known, it is reasonable and I believe our response to all issues is now on the record. I once again thank the scrutiny of bills committee for the excellent work that it does in ensuring that our legislation and the provisions we include in it are appropriate.
I believe that the provisions that we have included in this legislation, having regard to the nature of the subject and its importance—the need for us to ensure that we do have in place the best possible controls in relation to the potential for animal diseases to spread and to decimate primary industry within the ACT and the nation—should be there. In the context of that, of course, there is a requirement on us to ensure, particularly in relation to some of the offences that can be committed through this particular legislation, that they are of the order and nature that they are and are as certain and as capable of implementation and, of course, control. I commend this bill and the Stock Bill to the Assembly. I thank members for their contribution and I look forward to their support.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail stage
Clause 1.
Motion (by Mrs Dunne) put:
That debate be adjourned.
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