Page 1767 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2011
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is ready. I do not think broad or equitable consultation has been undertaken. I do not think all stakeholders have been consulted around the table to come up with collective proposals, as is currently occurring at the table around which the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee sits.
Ms Le Couteur and her colleagues were aware of the work I was doing. The Greens were aware of the work the committee was doing. Indeed I would have welcomed a conversation with the Greens on these matters prior to the tabling of the exposure draft. I found Ms Le Couteur’s action in tabling the exposure draft of her bill, without any notification, except at the eleventh hour, and without any discussion, surprising to say the least.
I reflect on our parliamentary agreement and reflect on the commitments it contains to work together in a spirit of cooperation in the best interests of the citizens of the ACT and to maintain a relationship characterised by mutual trust and respect, including frank and full disclosure of relevant information. As the Chief Minister has recalled, the Greens welcomed—
Mr Stanhope: No consultation, mate. That is the new rule, is it?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Hargreaves): Chief Minister, please! Ms Porter has the floor. Mr Rattenbury, please!
Mr Rattenbury: I am just laughing. I am sorry, Mr Assistant Speaker.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I know, Mr Rattenbury. From a Speaker’s perspective, laughter from you in the chamber is unbecoming.
MS PORTER: As the Chief Minister has recalled, the Greens welcomed legislative amendments last year that would allow for the making of mandatory codes. Why not then let AWAC complete its draft code? Why not let the consultation on this code occur? Why rush to legislate on a number of issues that even AWAC thinks would better sit within a code of practice than in the statute book?
Of course Labor is committed to stamping out unscrupulous and surplus breeding and to a progressive agenda of reform for animal welfare. It is important, though, that measures are practical and balanced. Pet owners and buyers have an important part to play. Let us not unfairly target the regulated 14 per cent of pet shops. Let us not create more trade for those unscrupulous breeders that trade over the internet and over the border, outside the gaze of our licensing and compliance rangers, outside the gaze of our animal welfare inspectors.
Labor members will not be forced into supporting measures, one by one in the Assembly, when members have already committed to a process of comprehensive consultation. This has been slower than anticipated because of the need to get AWAC’s input. This is a sensible step and will lead to strong and practical measures. It is always better to hasten slowly in order to consult thoroughly, to get it right, to get agreement amongst all stakeholders and to fully understand the impact of measures that could be introduced than to go ahead, with the negative impacts that this bill will undoubtedly have.
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