Page 1013 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (3.34): The government appreciate the comments of other members in relation to the safeguard of the welfare of all animals. However, we do not support the amendment that has been put forward to the motion. Ms Porter has demonstrated in her motion that its focus is on responsible pet ownership, but it is about domestic animals. We support the welfare of all animals, and it is acknowledged that there is important work to be done at all levels. The government are pleased to note in this regard that the Assembly will soon debate a government bill that will allow for the introduction of mandatory codes of practice for the welfare of animals. Yes, Ms Le Couteur, we are advised that the protection of all animals is provided under the Animal Welfare Act.
Encouraging responsible pet ownership is, I believe, a profoundly important element in ensuring the welfare of animals. To ensure that animals have access to a reasonable standard of welfare it is necessary to define the minimum standards for the care of an animal, as well as general protections. Work is ongoing in this area. These specific elements are included in codes of practice for animal welfare. For Ms Le Couteur’s information, I can clarify that the work completed so far is extensive. The following codes of practice for animal welfare already exist in the ACT, and I am sure all members will want to know this—almost all members; there is only Mr Doszpot left in the chamber. I appreciate your attendance, Mr Doszpot. Thank you very much. You are a fine example to your colleagues.
Mr Doszpot: My pleasure, Mr Hargreaves. I would always do this for you; you know that.
MR HARGREAVES: You are a fine, upstanding example to your colleagues.
Mr Doszpot: I am.
MR HARGREAVES: In their absence I condemn them. The codes of practice relate to amphibians in captivity, animal boarding establishments, companion animals in pounds and shelters, animals used in films, captive bird welfare, cattle welfare, care and use of animals for scientific purposes, cat welfare—I am sure my cat Andy will be pleased to know about that one; Andy will not be happy about care and use of animals for scientific purposes—dog welfare and farmed deer welfare. You did not know about that, Mr Speaker. You did not know that there is a code of practice being developed for ferret welfare, Mr Coe. Welcome back. I am sure you will be interested in this one—Mr Coe has been waiting for this—there is even one on goat welfare. Now there is one on goat welfare, Mr Coe, there is not a goat in Canberra that needs to worry about you at all. There is one on greyhound welfare, horse welfare, commercial horse-riding establishments, humane control of the fox—not the silver fox of London Circuit, I might say—
Mr Coe: What about the rodents, John?
MR HARGREAVES: There is one on kangaroo control.
Mr Coe: What about rodents?
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