November 22, 2018 Animal welfare bill opens the door to national standards The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2017 passed the West Australian Parliament today with significant amendments introduced by the Liberal Opposition. Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Ian Blayney said the bill would enable WA to adopt national standards and guidelines for animal welfare. “This bill has had a tortuous 12 months in the Parliament after Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan included a number of unworkable measures,” Mr Blayney said. “It was introduced in the Legislative Council and then referred to a committee, with the majority of the committee recommending all the measures added by the Minister be removed. “The measures rejected included, a proposal for a new type of inspector, to be appointed by the Minister rather than the CEO of the Department, wider powers of entry for the new inspectors, and no requirement of the qualifications of those inspectors. “It is most concerning that the Minister wanted the powers of the new inspectors to include automatic right of entry, without notice, to all vehicles and premises.” Mr Blayney said he would like to thank the WA Farmers Federation and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association for putting a clear industry position to the Parliament on the proposed legislation. “The industry position all through was support for a full review the Animal Welfare Act,” Mr Blayney said. “I’d also like to acknowledge the work of Agricultural Region Member Jim Chown and South West Region member Steve Thomas, both of whom served on the Legislative Council Committee that reviewed the Government’s proposed legislation.” Media Contact |
