Minns Government’s new “Independent” Office of Animal Welfare subject to control and direction of Agriculture Minister
SYDNEY (15 OCTOBER) – The Australian Alliance for Animals is calling for amendments to the Office of Animal Welfare Bill introduced in Parliament today, warning that ministerial control and weakened expert consultation requirements risk undermining the reform and setting the state back on animal welfare.
The Alliance said the Bill needed to be strengthened to enable the Minns Labor Government to deliver its key election commitment of establishing an Independent Office of Animal Welfare.
Under the proposed legislation, key functions of the office, including reviewing and advising on animal welfare matters, can only be exercised at the written request of the Minister for Agriculture.
Australian Alliance for Animals Policy Director, Dr Jed Goodfellow, said the Bill fails to match the Government’s promise of strengthening animal welfare and creating independent oversight.
“An independent office of animal welfare that is subject to the control and direction of the very Minister it is supposed to have independence from is nonsensical.”
“It defeats the entire purpose of the office and doesn’t pass the pub test.”
“An independent office must be able to examine animal welfare problems without first needing the Minister for Agriculture’s permission,” Dr Goodfellow said.
The Bill also removes the statutory requirement to consult the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, made up of independent experts in animal welfare and veterinary science, on regulations incorporating animal welfare guidelines.
“The Government says this reform will deliver independent advice, yet it removes an existing requirement to consult its expert animal welfare advisory council.”
“That weakens a safeguard for expert input when the Government should be strengthening it.”
Dr Goodfellow said amendments should allow the Office to initiate animal welfare reviews independently and preserve a statutory role for expert advisory input.
“Protecting animals is a shared community concern. Nearly 80% of Australians support an independent authority overseeing animal welfare policy.”
“Without these changes, the Government risks falling short of its promise to establish an independent office.”
“There is still an opportunity to get this right. We urge the Government to work with Parliament to strengthen the Bill and deliver the independence it promised.”
NOTES FOR MEDIA
For all media, photo, and interview inquiries, please contact 0407 237 492 or email media@allianceforanimals.org.au.
Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:
Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Core members include Animals Australia, Humane World for Animals Australia, World Animal Protection Australia, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS Australia, and Voiceless, the animal protection institute.
Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au
Public survey commissioned by the Australian Alliance for Animals and conducted by BehaviourWorks Australia can be found here: https://www.allianceforanimals.org.au/animal-welfare-policy-survey-results