Page 1225 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 23 March 2010
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existing poultry code, they are not about best practice. They are about entrenching malpractice.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (11.37): I wish, as other members have, to speak in support of the bill.
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to facilitate the making of mandatory animal welfare codes of practice. It does this by giving the minister the power to declare, in whole or part, that codes of practice are to be mandatory; in other words, the requirements of an animal welfare code of practice will become compulsory if the minister declares them to be so.
The minister’s declaration will be a disallowable instrument and the minister must also specify in the declaration the people to whom the mandatory code of practice is to apply. The new arrangements for mandatory codes of practice are part of the Australia-wide move to improve animal welfare management in this country. A national approach on many animal welfare issues is required, particularly in relation to animals used in industry. Australian jurisdictions have agreed to a strategy to harmonise animal welfare laws.
However, as a federation, it would be unreasonable to expect animal welfare arrangements to be completely identical across Australia, even though Mrs Dunne would have that they be so. For example, some states have a code of practice dealing with rodeos, but we do not in the ACT because rodeos are banned here under the Animal Welfare Act.
As members of this Assembly would be aware, I moved a motion in this place just last week in relation to the responsible ownership of companion animals. The passing of that motion last week received a strong response. I have received many emails from constituents who share my concern for the welfare of domestic animals. Animal welfare is fast becoming a mainstream concern and it is natural that this is reflected in the legislative process.
Mandatory codes will be developed at a national level under the supervision of Animal Health Australia. Animal Health Australia will manage the coordination, funding arrangements and the development of regulatory impact statements for each code of practice that is to be established. The Australian government, state and territory governments, major livestock industries and other stakeholders are partners in Animal Health Australia.
It is important that the ACT is committed to this process of national harmonisation of jurisdictional animal welfare legislation. It will mean in the long term that the ACT and Australia have a strong national animal welfare system. The new national codes will follow a consistent format that will mean there is a clear description of what is required to be done to manage and ensure the welfare of animals.
Of course, it is possible for the territory to adopt the format and proceed with its own development of mandatory codes of practice. I am sure that the ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will be able to advise the government on the conversion of a number of the ACT’s existing approved codes of practice. The territory already has a
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