Page 1765 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Another issue which has been put forward on a number of occasions, particularly by representatives of the pet store industry—and it seems to be repeated in Mr Stanhope’s press release today—is the statement that, if this legislation came into practice and the sale of cats and dogs from pet stores was prevented, pet stores would be destroyed. That is clearly incorrect.
A number of pet stores already operate extremely successfully just selling pet products and accessories. One is PETstock in Fyshwick, but there are also stores in Phillip and Belconnen. PETstock is the fasting growing franchise of its kind in the country, and it does not sell animals. The argument that businesses would be destroyed if pet stores were not able to sell cats and dogs is incorrect, and we have absolute proof of that.
Mr Coe said that by putting forward what we are today the Greens are somehow attacking people who have bought animals from pet stores. That is an absolutely outrageous claim. If people buy pets and they are responsible pet owners, that is something we want to see. There are many responsible pet owners in the community, and we know that from the support we have received from the general public for this legislation.
I know people are probably sick of hearing me talk about this, but I was a volunteer at the RSPCA for a number of years and I saw the results of what happens when pets are bought on impulse from pet stores. People see puppies or kittens which are extremely cute, but then they take them home and realise that it is a lot of responsibility to look after them, and they grow older and they get bigger. People often do not realise the responsibility that is involved, which is why it is important to have these regulations.
I saw the result of what would happen particularly after Christmas and Mother’s Day when numerous puppies were dumped at the RSPCA because people had bought them as gifts that were not wanted because they had not sought advice from the people they were buying them for or because they realised what was involved with owning pets.
This is not attacking people who buy pets; it is actually attacking the process which is in place around the sale of animals. They are a great responsibility, and it is important for people to recognise that. That is what this bill does. It is about putting in place those responsibilities and putting in place a strong process so that people are aware and so we do not get the situation where animals are bought on impulse and where organisations like the RSPCA have to pick up the pieces. That is not fair on the community and it is not fair on organisations like the RSPCA.
As I said, Mr Stanhope has put out a press release today. I have already addressed most of the points in that about stating that the Greens did not consult properly, that we have somehow circumvented a process and that we are seeking to destroy the pet industry. Ms Le Couteur will address those claims later, but the points I have made today show that they are completely incorrect.
Mr Coe said he did not think this would address animal welfare. I would like to hear him say what he thinks would address animal welfare issues. He said he does not
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video