Page 1059 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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Mr Steel: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
The ACT Government currently subsidises RSPCA ACT veterinary services through de-sexing vouchers, which are sold at Domestic Animal Services at a cost of $190. These vouchers provide access to a de-sexing service at RSPCA ACT, with a normal retail value of $306.75.
No other veterinary service is currently subsidised.
Animals—livestock care
(Question No 2145)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 15 February 2019 (redirected to the Minister for City Services):
Is lack of shade for livestock lawful given duty of care for appropriate shelter in the Animal Welfare Act; if it is unlawful, has it been enforced at all in the last five years; if it is lawful, what is the reasoning behind the exemption.
Mr Steel: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
I can’t provide legal advice however, in accordance with section 6B of the Animal Welfare Act 1992, a person in charge of an animal has a duty to care for the animal, which includes taking reasonable steps to provide the animal with appropriate shelter or accommodation. This includes livestock.
What is deemed appropriate shelter or accommodation is dependent on the species, environment and circumstances of the animal. The various animal-specific codes of practice, including cattle, sheep and horses, gives guidance as to what shelter or accommodation is generally appropriate for each species.
Between 1 January 2014 and 18 February 2019, RSPCA ACT received 56 complaints in relation to matters where livestock did not have appropriate shelter or accommodation. Of these complaints, only one case resulted in enforcement action, with the offender being issued a direction notice, which was complied with. In all other cases, no offence was identified or the owners worked with RSPCA-ACT Inspectors to resolve the issue.
Taxation—rates
(Question No 2146)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 15 February 2019:
What were the proportions of residential rates paid upfront and paid in instalments in each of the financial years (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18 and (d) 2018-19 to date.
Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(a) In the 2015-16 financial year there were 156,843 annual rates assessments issued for residential properties; 54,932 ratepayers (35.02 percent) paid their assessments up
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