Page 1227 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 23 March 2010
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The Australian animal welfare strategy project develops national codes by convening writing groups drawn from major stakeholders such as the RSPCA and Animals Australia, industry representatives and Animal Health Australia, together with government policy officers drawn from a range of jurisdictions.
Animal Health Australia manages the coordination, funding arrangements and development of regulatory impact statements for each code of practice. Animal Health Australia also coordinates action plans to aid jurisdictions in the implementation of legislative changes and code adoption. New national codes will be drafted in an agreed layout which will follow a “standards and guidelines” format. The new codes will include clear standards with which people will have to comply.
The ACT government has, under a range of political persuasions—only two actually; two political persuasions have actually been in this chamber, and I sincerely hope it stays that way—led many in animal welfare reform in a number of areas such as the banning of rodeos, the docking of dogs’ tails and the cropping of their ears, the banning of exotic animals from circuses and the compulsory desexing of companion animals. Of course, we have extended the animal welfare regime to start with cat-free suburbs, for example.
The other thing, of course, is the way in which Domestic Animal Services has gained accolade after accolade for their work. I draw the Assembly’s attention specifically to the development of the trailer by the former registrar of Domestic Animal Services, which is to be deployed in the event of a disaster such as the 2003 bushfires. It is, in effect, a mobile triage unit for injured animals and it is a most magnificent trailer. If members have not seen it, particularly the Greens, who were not here when it was actually launched, I would invite them to seek permission from the minister to pop out to Domestic Animal Services and see the trailer. It is a remarkable thing.
We recognise the importance of safeguarding the animals that share our community and of cooperating with neighbouring jurisdictions. They say dogs have owners and cats have staff, and I can attest to that, having been a dog owner in my life and being completely subjected to slavery in my house to a little orange cat called Andy. Do you know what I like? I like that exasperated sigh; I just love it. It makes my day, Madam Deputy Speaker. I love it.
Mr Hanson: Are you here for your own amusement or for the betterment of the ACT community, Mr Hargreaves?
MR HARGEAVES: No, I am here for your entertainment, Mr Hanson, because you are clearly the jester of the year, you know.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, please do not provoke those opposite.
MR HARGEAVES: You are clearly the jester of the year. A number of Australian jurisdictions, including the ACT, do not currently—
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