Thursday, 11 September 2025

Bills

Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025

Second reading

Debate resumed.

David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:46): I rise to make some comments on the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. It is great to see that we have the member for Brighton – who is with me – because I know he is also a great lover of animals and is a great supporter of many of our domestic cats, our dogs and certainly more broadly just animals and the great bit of therapy that they provide to others. I think, particularly with this, a lot of our colleagues have spoken about how important our domestic animals are to our families and many of those that work in our communities and support that.

I wanted to particularly begin by giving a shout-out to a number of those that work in our community, and particularly to Pet Medical Crisis and Jennifer Hunt. Pet Medical Crisis is really what this bill is all about. It was founded by Jennifer in 2010, and the trigger was a personal experience when she rescued a border collie, Jed, who had ruptured multiple spinal discs. He did this chasing seagulls. It led to vet bills of up to $30,000. In many situations, this would be a bill that a lot of people could not afford, and Jennifer could not afford it either – I think at the time she was renovating a kitchen and doing stuff at the home. She put all of that aside to ensure that she could pay the medical bills for the dog. So she did that and then, ultimately, that motivated her to set up a charity.

Particularly for elderly people or lonely people, where a dog or a cat is that bit of company, there comes a time when the animal gets sick and the bills are something that that individual cannot afford. That is where Pet Medical Crisis steps in and finds money, raises money, to help ensure that the animal gets the treatment that they deserve. Due to the work that they have been doing – and I have got to tell you it is hard for them because they are dealing with some really serious costs – rather than having to see, unfortunately, animals being put down, these animals are saved, thanks to Pet Medical Crisis.

We awarded Jennifer Hunt and her organisation a Caulfield Volunteer Award in 2021 for the great work that she and her organisation does. Congratulations to her. But I do say at this particular time, Jennifer and Pet Medical Crisis have sought support from the government, and I will use this opportunity to again ask the government to consider supporting organisations like Pet Medical Crisis, because it is not just about the animal, as important as they are, but it is about those that actually own the animal and what that does for those in isolation or for those that are dealing with a whole lot of other mental health issues. That animal can make a huge difference to many people’s lives.

While I am on that, Kitty Rescue Squad was founded by Krizia Garrido Castro. Krizia, a South American, came to Melbourne, Victoria, to start a new life. She met a number of other South Americans and said, ‘What are we going to do while we are here? We’re not just going to come and just do the bare minimum. We’re going to actually set up a charity and we’re going to contribute to Victoria,’ and that is what they have done.

What they do is they rescue cats and they take them and they find them a home. And literally they are doing all kinds of other jobs just to run the charity. They run a cleaning business and are working, cleaning, during the day. Another one of Krizia’s support members of the organisation works in finance. They have come to Victoria and found jobs and then after hours are running the organisation. It is amazing, what they do – truly amazing. This group of Latin American women committed to helping stray and feral cats in our local area and fostering them and giving them a life and dealing with all their health issues along the way. In recognition, we gave her a volunteer award in 2023, and also I had the great privilege, by coincidence, to be on the stage when Krizia became an Australian citizen. It almost brought tears to my eyes that here was somebody that has come to Victoria and made Australia her home, is doing this charity work and cleaning houses during the daytime and is now an Australian citizen.

When anybody wants to argue about immigration and about bringing people to Victoria, I just think about people like Krizia, because they have left somewhere else, they have come here and they are contributing like there is no tomorrow. They are working, they are contributing to Victoria and they are helping others. That is the kind of immigration that works in Victoria. That is why Victoria and Australia are better because of it, because we attract people to come here and make Australia their home. That is why I am a big supporter of having immigration – and I say the right immigration, because there are people that do not do what Krizia does and quite frankly try to disrupt, bring hate and bring violence. There is no place for them, and there should be laws that actually send them right back to where they come from. But for those that want to make Australia their home and live by the laws and contribute, bring it on. Thank you to Krizia and to others.

Just quickly, there are a number of vets in my area: Caulfield Veterinary Hospital, Greencross Vets in Caulfield South, the Cat Doctors in Caulfield South, Elsternwick Veterinary Clinic, Glenhuntly Road Veterinary Clinic and the Melbourne equine veterinary clinic in Caulfield East. They are really important because we have with racing an important part in terms of the veterinary piece of the equine industry, and they do a fantastic job as well.

There are a number of things in terms of ensuring that we replace the voluntary community foster care with a new pet rehoming authorisation scheme. We know the initial scheme did not work. We know the government is trying to improve this. We need to ensure that those that want to foster animals can do it in the best possible manner. We should always be looking to improve it, but at the same time we have got to make sure that we do not make it harder for those that want to do the right thing. Reduce red tape – absolutely we should be doing that. A lot of these people I mentioned, Krizia with Kitty Rescue Squad and Pet Medical Crisis, are doing it literally hand to mouth. They do not have additional money. So we need to cut red tape, which is so important for these organisations.

Trisha Taylor, the founder and president of Victorian Dog Rescue, I met with Peter Walsh back in Elsternwick in 2010 when I was first elected. She was running the organisation probably way before then and has been ever since. She is such a strong advocate for the rescue sector. Trisha flagged that Animal Welfare Victoria has stated that section 84 does not give voluntary organisations like hers the right to take undesexed and unmicrochipped dogs, and the interpretation will greatly impact her work. This is really important, because what she is doing is stopping animals from being euthanised and giving them a home. It is a very, very small organisation but an important one. She finds them a home. She does it all off her own bat, and we need to ensure that her work is supported. So no, this is not happening here. The government has been a bit lazy and has not dealt with that. We have been promised that this will be looked at in a second tranche. We will advocate to ensure that Trisha and her work and the work of the Victorian Dog Rescue is supported. And I will continue to be raising this important issue and standing up for those pet lovers and standing up for those animal welfare groups that do an important job – a really, really important job. We should be doing this because, as I say, it is not just about the animal; it is the about person that goes with it. For every animal there is a family, and with every family there is a lot of love and a lot of support. And what that does, particularly during a really tough time, which many Victorians are having, there is nothing better than coming home to your dog, to your cat or to your animal and giving them a big hug.

I want to finish by giving a big shout-out to our dog Jackson. We love him to death. Unfortunately, my wife, I think, loves Jackson more than all of us, her kids and everything, because Jackson gets spoilt rotten. I never thought that I would ever allow a dog to be sleeping at the foot of my bed, but in the last few years Jackson has found his new place, and that is in bed with us. We love you, Jackson. He is a cobberdog, a true Aussie dog. We love you, Jackson, and we love all those pets and animals that provide so much love and joy to every family out there in Victoria.

Eden FOSTER (Mulgrave) (14:56): I am very happy to stand here today and speak in favour of the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. This legislation creates a brand new regulatory framework for pet rehoming organisations in Victoria, and within this framework organisations will receive specific benefits and exemptions while requiring entities to be registered as a charity. This legislation also amends the Domestic Animals (DA) Act 1994 to clarify that a specific class of dog entitled to a reduced registration fee can be prescribed in regulations. This legislation also will clarify powers of entry for authorised officers to enter premises, excluding any building or vehicle used as a residence, in order to determine compliance with the Domestic Animals Act.

Through this bill the Victorian government is honouring its commitment to acting on the recommendations of the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets. The bill implements five of those recommendations by creating a new regulatory framework for pet rehoming organisations under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. This framework introduces a voluntary authorisation scheme for PROs while also repealing the outdated foster carer registration scheme. The FCRS focuses on regulating individual carers rather than the organisations responsible for the broader rehoming process. It has seen limited uptake, and during consultation the sector strongly supported a shift towards regulating PROs instead. Under the new scheme organisations that opt in will gain specific advantages to assist with their rehoming work. These benefits will put authorised PROs on a more equal footing with pounds and shelters when it comes to rehoming cats and dogs, consistent with the taskforce’s advice. Importantly, participation remains voluntary. PROs that choose not to enter the scheme can continue to operate as they always have, but without access to the additional benefits.

The bill is the product of extensive consultation with the rehoming sector and related organisations across Victoria. To support the framework, new regulations will be developed to provide the necessary detail. The amendments to the DA act will not take effect for 14 months, giving time for the regulations to be drafted, and during this period, both the rehoming sector and the wider Victorian community will be invited to provide their input. The bill also clarifies powers of entry for authorised officers to enter premises, as I mentioned, excluding any building or vehicle used as a residence in order to determine compliance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

This government has a strong record when it comes to tackling animal cruelty and supporting animal welfare organisations. The 2025–26 state budget provides $16.7 million over two years towards safeguarding the future of Victoria’s agricultural sector and supporting animal welfare. This includes significant funding for RSPCA Victoria, which is in addition to the existing $2.3 million the organisation receives each year from government. This substantial increase in funding will support RSPCA Victoria to continue to deliver critical animal welfare regulatory services while also transitioning to a two-up model. Animal Welfare Victoria is working with RSPCA Victoria to reflect this additional funding in a new memorandum of understanding between RSPCA Victoria and the state.

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of the RSPCA here in Victoria. For decades the RSPCA has been on the frontline of animal welfare, rescuing, caring for and rehoming thousands of animals each year. Their inspectors play a pivotal role in investigating cases of cruelty and neglect, often working under very difficult and distressing circumstances to ensure animals are protected and those responsible are held to account. Beyond enforcement, the RSPCA also provides education, outreach and advocacy, helping communities to better understand responsible pet ownership and the importance of animal welfare. Their shelters and foster networks give countless animals a second chance at life, and their dedicated staff and volunteers embody compassion, professionalism and care. The Victorian government is proud to work in partnership with the RSPCA to improve standards and outcomes for animals across our state. Whether it is in enforcement, education or rehoming, the RSPCA continues to make an enormous difference, and on behalf of this Parliament, I want to thank them for their tireless commitment and tireless work that they do.

The Allan Labor government has a proud record of standing up for animal welfare, and this bill builds on that legacy. Over the past decade our reforms have transformed Victoria into a national leader in the protection and treatment of animals. We have banned cruel puppy farms and introduced the strictest breeding regulations in the country, ending the days of animals being treated as nothing more than commodities. We made it an offence to sell a pet without a valid microchip and source number from the pet exchange register, ensuring traceability and accountability in the sale of companion animals. We removed the outdated requirement for greyhounds to be muzzled in public, an important reform that acknowledged these dogs for the gentle companions they are rather than the stereotypes of the past. We delivered Victoria’s first Animal Welfare Action Plan, which for the very first time in our state recognised animals as sentient beings capable of feeling and deserving of respect. We strengthened the rights of Victorians by giving renters the ability to keep a pet, reflecting the fact that pets are not just animals but family members in so many homes across our state. We reformed the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, bringing together leading experts to ensure government receives the best possible advice when it comes to improving welfare standards and shaping policy. Victoria was also the first state to require mandatory reporting of animal fate data for cats and dogs in pounds and shelters, delivering greater transparency, accountability and ultimately better outcomes for rehoming. We launched the targeted cat desexing program, making it easier for councils and communities to manage cat populations humanely and effectively. This work is now being expanded through the development of a comprehensive statewide cat management strategy to guide best practice management across Victoria for the next decade.

These reforms show a clear and consistent record. When it comes to animal welfare, the Allan Labor government does not just talk about change, we deliver it. In 2017 it was a Labor government that finally outlawed cruel puppy farms in this state. We stood up for the welfare of animals and put an end to the industrial-scale breeding of dogs in appalling conditions. And what did the opposition do? They opposed it. They argued that the laws had no scientific basis. They argued that shutting down puppy farms would simply drive breeding underground. While Labor acted to ban high-volume puppy farms and close the loophole that allowed pet shops to funnel puppies from those breeders, the Liberal–National coalition voted against it. They had every opportunity to join with us in saying that cruelty has no place in Victoria, but they chose to turn their backs.

Now, before I finish, I believe many in this house have put on the record whether they are a cat or a dog person. I must admit –

Paul Edbrooke: Be careful.

Eden FOSTER: I know. I am a dog person, but I do love cats too.

I would also like to reflect on the incredible bond we share with our pets. It is a connection that brings joy, laughter and sometimes a little bit of chaos – much like a certain family of Heelers we all know and love, and for those who have kids, I think you might know what show I am talking about. This bill, in many ways, is our dance mode for a more responsible pet community. We are not just moving to the beat of new regulations; we are dancing for the welfare of every dog and cat in Victoria. We want to ensure that every furry friend, whether they are a Bluey, full of energy, or more laid-back Bingo, finds their forever home. Some may look at the provisions for rehoming and see a bit of a keepy uppy challenge with all the new rules to follow. But let us be honest, it is a game we must win. We cannot have a shadowlands of neglected animals or a magic xylophone of unvetted sales. This bill is about making sure that the journey from a shelter to a loving home is as smooth and joyful as a sleepover with your best friend. This government are not just legislating, we are creating a world where every pet gets their happy takeaway: a life filled with love, care and family. This bill ensures that whether they are a grannies enthusiast or a unicorse devotee, every pet has a chance to live their best life.

Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (15:06): After the member for Mulgrave’s contribution referring to the family of heelers that we all know and love, I think if a balloon was let loose in this place, every member would jump to their feet to play a game of keepy uppy – a challenge that would be an interesting one, no doubt. I am more than happy to make a contribution to the debate on the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025.

[NAMES AWAITING VERIFICATION]

Fostering and rehoming pets is something I have a great deal of experience in. I am an animal person, first and foremost, and I think when people say, ‘Oh, I’m not an animal person’, it is a very good indicator that we will not be friends. I am a dog person. We currently have two dogs. We have two great shepherds, German shepherds – they are great shepherds – Flash and Bolt, that we have had for a long time. Our last dog, Ripper, actually came to us through this scheme several years ago, when I was a councillor. Given the geographic area of the great north-west of the state, sometimes getting pets from pounds to registered foster carers can be a challenge because of the great distances that need to be travelled. So when a call comes in saying, ‘There’s a couple of dogs in the Robinvale pound that need to go to Bendigo. Would you do it?’, how can you say no when you are an animal person? On one particular occasion the breed of dog was mistaken to be a greyhound. The greyhound group wanted this dog that was in the pound, so I of course got the call to deliver the dog to Bendigo, along with a golden retriever who was wonderful and full of personality but would not sit still. The dog that was mistaken to be a greyhound was brindle – she looked a bit like Santa’s Little Helper from The Simpsons – would not get into the back of the car I had at the time, which I think was a Mitsubishi Outlander, and would only get into the front seat. Between Robinvale and probably Swan Hill that dog, which I later named Ripper, did not take its eyes off me. So without prior approval from the man of the house, I decided that I was not going to deliver this dog, I was going to adopt it. I did, and I had that dog for quite some time, although she was a jumper. It turns out she was not a greyhound at all; she was just really malnourished and really skinny. So I did all the right things after I adopted her, had her chipped and DNA tested in fact to find out exactly what she was, and she was actually a mix of Irish wolfhound, staghound, Maltese terrier – believe it or not – and Great Dane. She was an odd mix but a beautiful dog.

Unfortunately, like I said, she was a jumper. At one stage – and I love to tell stories in this place – living out on the farm, she jumped out of the backyard and went missing. And of course my son – then he was three or four I think – was absolutely devastated, because we know that kids really get attached to their pets; they are part of our family.

We did everything we could to find her. We are on 3500 acres. If you cannot find her on the farm, then all bets are off really. It turned out that three months after I got a call, because of the microchip, which leads to being a responsible pet owner, that she was found in front of the council offices but had been shot through the jaw – it was pretty awful. She had had her bottom jaw shot off. Of course I went and collected her, took her to the vet and fed her through a tube for weeks and weeks until she made a full recovery. Then she jumped the fence again, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, I did not have pet insurance. She was a beautiful, beautiful dog. The importance of microchips – because these pets sometimes make it home and they sometimes do not.

Now we do have two German shepherds that are members of the family. I know if anything ever happened to them, both children – we have got two boys – would be completely devastated, absolutely, as would I and my husband. He often brings up what we will do when these dogs are no longer with us, and it is something I am not willing to discuss, because I do not want to think about it.

But getting back to the bill, this bill is before us today to fix the scheme that was put in place back in 2016 – the voluntary foster carer registration scheme, which was predictably, some will say, underutilised. At the time, foster carers, the Municipal Association of Victoria and others failed to recognise the alarm, and the uptake of the scheme was pitiful. I think it was just 50 foster carers across the whole state, and that left thousands of volunteers locked out of receiving support and recognition for what they do. Like I said when recalling my involvement with foster caring and transporting dogs, sometimes, particularly in regional areas, it is a big job, because there are big k’s to be travelled. Volunteers will do that whether or not they have ticked the box, filled in the form and whatnot, just because they love animals – it is as simple as that. This bill will scrap that broken system and replace it with a pet rehoming authorisation scheme. Under the new arrangements rehoming organisations can apply for authorisation for up to three years, reporting data to councils and the state, and in return access some grants and limited exemptions from council pet registration fees.

While we are on council pet registration fees, if you have got dogs, they are not cheap. Our German shepherds have not been desexed, because they are beautiful dogs. We have bred the father twice – and I think his son. We also have the first pup from the first litter, and he has had a couple of litters as well. We have not desexed them, but that adds quite a lot of extra cost to registering pets. Exemption from council pet registration fees is a really positive thing for volunteers.

The bill also clarifies that authorised officers can enter backyards, for instance, to seize a dangerous dog. Those that do go in to seize dangerous dogs are braver than I, because, even though our dogs are not dangerous, if you were to come to our backyard and see two big German shepherds barking at you the way they do – mind you, if they know you, they will lick you to death – it would be a pretty confronting sight. Of course there is the safeguard of a warrant being required, obviously, to enter someone’s home or caravan et cetera.

It also fixes an anomaly around hunting dogs and reduced registration fees. Hunting dogs are something that I also have a fair bit of experience with, given the amount of hunters up in the great north-west. Those dogs are predominantly used for hunting pigs, which is dangerous in and of itself, but that is what they are bred to do, and they do it very well. The owners of those dogs, again, treat those animals like they are part of the family. It is devastating when accidents inevitably happen with all of our pets.

In Mildura we know how critical volunteer rehoming groups are. We actually have SARG, the Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group, which is volunteer-led. They do a wonderful job. You see them at all sorts of events and markets with doggy showbags and cat showbags. They sell them for $10 or $20 each, I think, and every time we do see the stalls my boys insist on buying a bag for the dogs, because it is not Christmas or Easter unless the dogs get presents too, which is very nice. But SARG make that very easy to accommodate, and they do a wonderful job in really caring for animals, finding homes for them and going through all that. So hopefully they can benefit from the amendments that are now being made with this bill.

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (15:16): I rise today to speak in support of the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. I am very pleased to speak about this today on R U OK? Day, a good reminder to check in with each other not just today but every day. Even when they are struggling, many people are great at looking like they are getting on with life and going okay, but this often hides the turmoil underneath. Taking the time to check in with one another and showing that you care can literally mean the difference between life and death. Pets also play a really important role in protecting mental health. They help address the growing problem of isolation and loneliness, and they get people out for a walk and give people purpose. But most importantly, they give comfort, companionship and unconditional love.

I love coming home to my two rescue dogs. Our 14-year-old Lily does not care what we say and does her own thing at all times. She deliberately does not go slow when it is time to go outside but loves a walk, loves a cuddle when she is in the mood and loves nothing more than lying too close to an open fire in the backyard. And we have Jack. Rescued through Working Dog Rescue, Jack loves going for a run with Joe more than anything else, and unlike Lily, he tries really hard to be a very good boy – but does not always succeed. He loves a cuddle at all times, but he is not so keen on cooking himself next to a fire or lying in the full sun on a 30-degree day, like Lily. For the record, I am an all living things person. I love my dogs, but I grew up with cats. Joe is allergic to cats, so we cannot have cats anymore, but we had ducks, lizards, birds, rabbits – we even had a ferret at one stage. So I do love all animals. We did not have the ferret and the rabbit at the same time, you will be glad to know.

It was a joy to see the kids at Jacana School for Autism interact with the wonderful therapy dog Victor and his dedicated handler Mini when the Deputy Premier and I visited to announce a $1.7 million increase for animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs in Victorian schools. These programs are based on research and help students feel calm, safe and able to engage in learning. I understand Victor also helps improve attendance. Having a therapy animal at school helps kids feel like they belong, which improves how they learn and connect with others. It was clear just how much the current program helps children build confidence, try new things and regulate emotions, and our extra funding will mean they can expand this program. I thank principal Corinne Pupillo, assistant principal Daniel Moloney and all the dedicated staff for their commitment to this important program.

I recently caught up with my good friend Kieran Hough, who spoke warmly about the extraordinary results that the dogs-in-prisons programs are having across Australia, achieving extraordinary results in rehabilitation and giving people pride, purpose and the companionship of one who does not judge. In speaking on this bill, I take the opportunity to thank all of the volunteers across Victoria who give up their time, and often their sleep, to rescue and rehome or, in the case of wildlife, rehabilitate and release our precious animals.

I was absolutely heartbroken to hear of the recent tragic death of two beautiful Nepalese Australian nurses who were hit on the Hume Highway while tending to an injured kangaroo. Amanda O’Sullivan, who worked with both Khadka and Suwal, said the pair would have done anything to help the injured animal. She said:

… it’s just unfortunate that it wasn’t a safe place to do so, and their true kindness was fatal …

Her memories of working alongside Suwal in aged care remain vivid:

Her soul was so, so beautiful … I hope she finds peace and kindness on the other side of Earth just like she showed peace and kindness Earth-side …

The Alfred hospital, where Khadka worked, made a statement about the tragic loss of the beloved nurse and much-loved colleague:

Sarala was a dedicated, highly skilled nurse, who went above and beyond to care for each patient with warmth, compassion and kindness …

I briefly spoke about this tragedy during the Indra Jatra festival, celebrated for the first time in Australia, which I attended with my parliamentary colleagues the member for Sunbury, the member for Melton and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and I have been there a number of times with my neighbour, the member for Greenvale Iwan Walters.

I am not surprised these women stopped to help an injured kangaroo. We are so lucky to have so many Nepalese nurses and healthcare workers in Victoria. They helped us get through COVID and were by the side of my father and my family when he departed. They are so caring, compassionate, hardworking and respectful, and I will be forever grateful for all our Nepalese community has contributed to Victoria, which is why I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of the people who have lost their lives in Nepal this week. My sincerest condolences go to their friends and families, and my thoughts and love are with the entire Nepalese community at this time, both here in Australia and overseas. As secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Nepal I pass on the thoughts and condolences of everyone in the Parliament to the Nepalese community at this time.

I have been working with Megan Bridger-Darling from the member for Melton’s office and Rachel Payne from the upper house towards starting up a parliamentary friends of animal rescue to promote the good work of all Victorian organisations and volunteers who do this important work. Today I want to give a shout-out to the many good people involved in animal rescue across the electorate of Broadmeadows, including Simon Harris from Oak Park, who has been involved in dog rescue for over 20 years, and Jens Buche, who runs Alley Katz Australia and is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. I spoke to Jens earlier today. He had had very little sleep, caring for some recently rescued cats. His organisation has been struggling with the cost of registration and the burden of red tape, and this bill is designed to address exactly those concerns.

This bill had its origins in the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets, which our government established to investigate and recommend ways we could improve and further support the rehoming of dogs and cats in Victoria. Our bill demonstrates the Labor government’s commitment to implementing all 17 recommendations that the taskforce made in its final report and introduces a voluntary authorisation scheme for pet rehoming organisations in Victoria through amendments to the Domestic Animals Act 1994. It also repeals current provisions and the voluntary foster care registration scheme, which was not well taken up and regulated the individual carer rather than the organisation. Organisations that choose to participate in the scheme will receive specific benefits to support rehoming, similar to what pounds and shelters currently have and in line with the taskforce recommendations – benefits like a 12-month exemption on paying council registrations for foster cats and dogs awaiting rehoming, which will make a huge difference; limited access to the declared dogs register to help ensure aggressive dogs are not rehomed; and being able to hold adoption days in prescribed pet shops to support the housing of more animals and to support the organisation as well. Organisations can choose not to participate in the new scheme and will continue to be able to rehome pets as they have always done.

The bill has been informed by extensive consultation with the sector, including 54 pet rehoming organisations, 292 foster carers, 26 pounds and shelters, 54 local government areas and four animal welfare groups. I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the rehoming pets working group and all those who have contributed their advice and input to date. Following the legislation, regulations will be developed with input from the pet rehoming sector.

The Allan Labor government remains committed to animal welfare, and this is yet another way we are looking after our precious companions. Labor’s other reforms have included banning cruel puppy farms; making it an offence to sell a pet without a valid microchip; removing the need for greyhounds to be muzzled in public; producing Victoria’s first Animal Welfare Action Plan, which recognises that animals are sentient; giving renters the right to keep a pet; reforming the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to ensure government receives expert advice; and becoming the first state to introduce mandatory reporting of animal fate data for dogs and cats in shelters and pounds. We have also increased funding to the RSPCA, and under our Labor government the Lost Dogs’ Home in Campbellfield also received a grant to improve its facilities and give pets there a better life. There are so many wonderful programs, organisations and volunteers in this state, and I thank them and commend this bill to the house.

Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (15:24): I rise to make a contribution to the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. It has been fun hearing everyone talk about their pets. It is probably a bit of a surprise, but I am actually petrified of dogs. I have always been scared of dogs.

Jade Benham interjected.

Kim O’KEEFFE: The member for Mildura said, ‘That’s not a surprise.’ My family are very aware of it. I do like to walk in the mornings, and I pick my routes. But in saying that, we have always had a family dog. We had Kirk, who was my mum’s dog, and our dog, who was Kirk’s son and was named Dougie. So we had Kirk Douglas in the family, which was fun.

Jade Benham: Small dogs?

Kim O’KEEFFE: Yes, little Jack Russells. They were fine. We had Dougie as part of our family for 17 years. The girls grew up with their dog; they are part of your family. I think people that do not have pets or are not ‘pet people’ – even though I am frightened of dogs, I do love family pets. I love them in the house and at home just for the company they bring. I think when you have children it teaches them to also care for something other than themselves, particularly when they get to be teenagers. I just think it is such a beautiful environment, to have a pet. For me, walking the dog – I miss our little Dougie. I used to walk him every morning and just have that routine and that little bit of support and connection. My daughter has two dogs. I do not have any grandchildren yet, but I have little grandbaby pets. We have got Maxi and Betty, and they are Maltese-Shih tzus, so they are they are quite fun. I am not scared of those dogs, but if I am on the street, I am very nervous if I see a dog coming.

Getting back to the bill, it has been great to hear people’s stories. I have a couple of elderly people that I visit that also have pets. I have a friend, and without her little dog sitting there, I am sure she would be quite lonely. I think that comfort is a factor. I think this bill is important when we think about that. We need to make sure that pets are always really cared for and that they are placed in the right care, where they are loved and nurtured. This is a bill for an act to amend the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to provide for an authorisation scheme for pet rehoming organisations to assist those organisations to rehome cats and dogs; to further provide for councils to be informed about animals in foster care in their municipality; to provide for the collection of information about the outcome of efforts to rehome dogs and cats; and to clarify the powers of authorised officers in relation to entering premises for certain purposes. The government provides that the forced commencement date is in more than 12 months in order to allow for a transitional period and for stakeholders in the industry to apply for inclusion in the proposed new scheme the bill presents and for the development of regulations to support the new framework the bill proposes.

Back in 2016, which has been raised today, under the then Andrews government, the Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016 was introduced to Parliament. It included amendments to enable voluntary registration of community foster carers for dogs and cats through their local council. At the time, concerns were raised by community foster carers, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the wider community that such a voluntary registration system had not been based on consultation with the relevant stakeholders and would create an excessive administrative burden not only on community foster carers but also councils. Following this bill back in 2016, an inquiry was established to examine these concerns raised and other issues relating to the impact of the bill. When the Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee in the other place tabled its final report, it recommended to the government at the time that the bill be withdrawn and a stakeholder group be established to consult on the drafting of a new bill. The amendments made through this bill before the house may not have been required, perhaps, if the findings and recommendations of the committee had been adopted by the government more than nine years ago.

This bill largely follows the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets, which tabled its final report to the government in December 2021, during the last Parliament. It was established to investigate and provide recommendations to the government on how to improve pet welfare, particularly pet rehoming pathways and survival rates. As we all know in this place, pet rescue, rehoming and foster care groups provide valuable and essential animal care, rehabilitation and rehoming service. I want to thank them for the amazing work that they do. They offer an important service in efforts to reduce the number of dogs and cats in the state’s shelter and pound system effectively. Many of these groups are run by volunteers, and we do not want to restrict their ability to continue their great work. There have been some concerns raised, and I will get to those in a minute.

It is also a go-to place for many people who want to have a special pet who may need extra care. I have a brother; he and his wife do not have children, and over the years they have always got their dogs from a rescue centre. Our family always say that that dog has won the dog lottery because they literally get so looked after and are so loved and cared for. The last one they had, little Lolly, was a Chihuahua. She had trauma due to being abused and had massive trust issues. What they did with that little dog was astounding, providing her with the love and care that every pet deserves. She did recently pass away, and they are still getting over her loss, but I know that they are definitely going to go to another service for a rescue dog. All pets, as I said, deserve a safe space and to be protected and cared for.

The Victorian pet census, which was held in July 2023, found that cat owners were more likely to get their cats from a rehoming organisation, around 28 per cent, or an animal shelter, 22 per cent, with the main reason for choosing them to help save the animals. For dogs, fewer were obtained from a rehoming organisation, as low as 17 per cent, or from an animal shelter, 6 per cent.

The taskforce’s final report included a total of 17 recommendations to the government, and since this time the government has committed to implementing all 17. But what we are debating here today delivers on five recommendations, mainly the establishment of an authorisation scheme for pet rehoming organisations to assist their services in rehoming our dogs and cats. This new framework the bill proposes will be voluntary, not mandatory, for such organisations to apply to the secretary to be authorised. As we have seen in the past, like the voluntary community foster care registration system, the uptake has been very low, and only a few councils have been offering registration to approximately 50 registered community fosterers. It has left thousands of community foster carers right across the state being unable to access discounted pet registration fees. As such, authorisation under this bill will be granted to organisations subject to certain conditions imposed by the secretary and prescribed in regulations, which must remain in place for no longer than three years. An organisation can apply to renew its authorisation after this time.

As mentioned, this new scheme will be voluntary for organisations, with benefits to be offered to incentivise their participation. If an organisation or group does not wish to become an authorised organisation, they will still be able to operate, but they will not be able to access the benefits that are provided to those who are authorised. The bill provides for the state government to undertake the administrative, regulatory and compliance functions for the new scheme. Regulations pending the bill’s passage will set out the additional requirements that authorised organisations must meet, such as reporting the location of animals under their care, mandatory preadoption activities like desexing and vaccination and reporting of animal data to the government. These requirements are important, because not only will they improve overall animal welfare outcomes for cats and dogs in the sector, but they will also enable such organisations to demonstrate the highest standards of animal management and care.

One of the concerns raised by the industry stakeholders during the taskforce’s inquiry of work was possible barriers to regulation. As noted in the taskforce’s final report, whilst there was support for regulation, there were many potential barriers to implementing the regulation. Groups shared with the taskforce that they are concerned about the administrative and resource burden a new regulatory framework will place on them, as well as any increases to regulatory requirements that will reduce their capacity and resources to care for animals.

It was also noted that across the sector existing regulatory frameworks are not fit for purpose. Whilst this new authorisation scheme that the bill proposes I am sure, given its voluntary nature, will be welcomed across the sector for not burdening it by this additional regulatory framework being proposed, there is still some work to be done. It gives organisations and groups the option, as we said, for participating or not.

The bill also sees the repeal of the current voluntary foster care registration scheme from the Domestic Animals Act as the government provides there has been a low uptake of the scheme since its introduction back in 2017. Instead the new authorisation scheme will seek to centralise animal foster carer activities under authorised and regulated rehoming organisations where they are an authorised pet rehoming organisation or an animal shelter or pound. Foster carers will continue to play an important role in the dog and cat rehoming process, but the amendments the bill proposes will seek to alleviate the regulatory and administrative burden that volunteer foster carers face and recognise the role pet rehoming organisations play in their communities. There is no doubt that the current community foster carer registration system does not work, and the opportunity to register as a community foster carer is appreciated by the sector, we just need to get it right.

In my final minute I would just like to read a concern I got from Jeanette, who actually writes on behalf of the Gumtree Greys board and Victoria’s domestic animal rescue and rehoming sector with some of her concerns in regard to this bill, which she did request that I would perhaps look at and raise. There are some relevant concerns there:

Mandatory council notifications within 7 business days for each foster placement, change of address, or adoption could mean 3–9+ notifications per dog …

which could lead to anything up to $600 in fines if they do not follow the right processes.

Linking government funding to compliance while removing the reduced fee will drive smaller volunteer groups out of existence, while large organisations with paid staff will benefit.

That was one of her major concerns. So whilst we are not opposing the bill, we do have some concerns with the bill.

John MULLAHY (Glen Waverley) (15:34): I too am pleased to rise today to speak on the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. From the outset, I would like to thank the Minister for Agriculture and her team for their efforts in bringing this important piece of legislation to the house.

I do note all the wonderful stories we have had of our furry family friends, and I would like to just note that I am a dog person. I am not big fan of cats as I am allergic to them. However, there are some cats that I am truly a big fan of, and they are the Geelong Cats. They were magnificent last weekend. We currently do not have a dog. We lost our little furry friend back on 21 February this year after 15 long years of wonderful times with Oscar. We buried him under a cherry blossom tree in the garden. and just today we have got the first blossoms on that tree.

Anyway, this bill continues the work of the Victorian government to strengthen animal welfare, improve regulation and support the many volunteers and organisations across our state who dedicate their time to rehoming cats and dogs. The legislation is the product of years of careful policy work, engagement with stakeholders and the recommendations of the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets. It reflects a deliberate and considered effort to implement recommendations 7 through to 11 of the taskforce by introducing a regulatory framework that properly recognises and supports the pet rehoming sector. The origins of the bill lie in the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets, which reported to government in 2021 after extensive consultation with the sector. That taskforce sets out 17 recommendations, and this bill will deliver on recommendations 7 through to 11, which call for a clear regulatory framework for the pet rehoming sector. The bill is therefore a direct continuation of the government’s commitment to implement the taskforce findings in full and to give rehoming organisations the recognition and support they deserve.

The legislation establishes the pet rehoming organisation authorisation scheme. This voluntary scheme will allow eligible rehoming organisations to apply to be formally authorised by the state. Authorisation will bring with it benefits designed to reduce administrative burdens, improve opportunities for rehoming and ensure strong welfare standards. The scheme will also provide clarity for councils and the wider community about which organisations meet the standards expected under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Eligibility to apply will be open to organisations that hold an ABN and are registered as charities with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. These criteria are important because they ensure accountability and transparency. Once authorised, organisations will hold that authorisation for up to three years before renewal is required. During that time they will operate under clear conditions set by the secretary of the department and underpinned by regulations that will be developed in consultation with the sector. Participation in the scheme will be entirely voluntary. Organisations may continue to operate outside the scheme if they wish, but those that join will access significant benefits. Authorised organisations will be able to hold adoption days in partnership with shelters, pounds and prescribed pet shops, creating more opportunities to rehome animals. And obviously on these adoption days, maybe I will have to get down there and get a new member of our family. My daughter is absolutely obsessed with dogs. She has about 200 stuffed toy animal dogs in her room, and so she is putting the pressure on us to get a new member of the family – not yet, not this weekend.

The bill will also make important amendments to improve information sharing and transparency. Authorised organisations will be required to notify local council within seven business days when animals enter foster care, when they move locations or when they are rehomed. They will also be required to report outcome data – sometimes known as fate data – to the state government. This information will be collected in a new pet rehoming information register maintained by the department.

I do want to just mention a couple of the wonderful local organisations in my area. Locally in the Glen Waverley district we see the dedication of our community groups and volunteers who live out these values every day. Organisations such as the Tails of the Forgotten Paws AU, which has rehomed cats across Glen Waverley; Nigel’s Animal Rescue, which services our area; Wildlife Victoria, which provides 24-hour emergency response for injured native animals; and the Friends of Bushy Park Wetlands, which safeguards local habitats, all deserve recognition.

Their work demonstrates the strength of community involvement in animal welfare, and this bill is designed to support and complement these efforts.

In conclusion, the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 represents a significant and timely reform. It creates a modern framework that supports rehoming organisations, it improves welfare outcomes for cats and dogs and it gives councils and government the tools they need to regulate effectively. It acknowledges the extraordinary contribution of volunteers and organisations across Victoria, while ensuring that animal welfare remains at the heart of our laws. It builds on past reforms, and it delivers on recommendations of the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets. I commend the bill to the house.

Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (15:41): The time is moving on throughout the day, and to be able to get up and talk on the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 is wonderful on a Thursday. Members have got up and spoken in the chamber today about the importance of pets right throughout our community. I note the member for Frankston, who is heading out, and his love for the hawk, as do the member for Sandringham and I. The Hawks will be prevalent tomorrow night, I think, as we are over in South Australia taking on the Crows, so we will see what happens there.

People that follow the AFL know there are a lot of teams that have animals as their mascots. Of course, as I said, we have the mighty Hawks, and we have got the Crows. We got the Magpies, the Eagles over in Western Australia, the Bulldogs – member for Footscray – the Lions, the Kangaroos, the Tigers –

Members interjecting.

Martin CAMERON: There we go, the Cats. The Cats are –

Members interjecting.

Martin CAMERON: No, the Dockers – we do not want an anchor around someone’s neck at all over there. So we can see the importance of pets right throughout. Even though they do not know that they are helping us, we know that they do.

In a former life, in my job as a plumber, I got to engage in people’s homes where I was fixing up plumbing issues for them. Sometimes I would go into elderly people’s homes, and the only companion that they had would be a cat or dog or a bird sitting in a cage. That particular pet was their companion; it was more than just a dog or a cat. I think I heard earlier one of the other members saying that sometimes the person will pass away before the actual pet, and this is why these laws that we are passing here today are needed – so that we know the dogs, cats and other pets in this particular space are being rehomed responsibly. Also, in my role I used to go into schools, and therapy dogs were another big part of schools. Children that otherwise were a little bit unruly during the day – once they got that therapy dog in the room, the change that would come over that child was unbelievable. Even this week we had the Spring Racing Carnival launch hear in Parliament, and we had horses on the grounds. Every single week we have only got to walk out of our rooms and offices around here to actually see our therapy dogs in here as well, so it is fantastic that we can do that.

I am a definite dog lover. I like cats, but I never actually had a cat at all in my time growing up. I have had friends and family members who have had them. I am lucky at the moment that I have a dog called Stormy. Stormy has been on my journey through Parliament. A big shout-out to Damian and the crew from Puppies Downunder in Morwell. I went there for a visit to see how his business worked, and I walked in without a dog and walked away with a dog.

It was a great surprise to my family when I showed up that evening back at home and had purchased Stormy, who has completely taken over our life, as pets do. As I pointed out, these pets play a huge role, especially in aged care facilities.

Another issue that we talk about a lot in here and that is often forgotten is the homelessness issue that we have at the moment. A major concern with trying to get people into housing is the fact that they have pets on the streets with them. Most of those pets would be of the canine variety. You can ask a person that is homeless, if they are lucky enough to have a house come up – if at that house they cannot have their pet with them, they will not go in. If it is emergency housing or something like that, the love that they have for their pet will actually make them say, ‘No, I would rather sleep on the street and sleep rough.’ So a concern or an issue going forward which we may have to at some stage work out is not only emergency housing for our homeless people but also emergency housing for their pets. As I said before, in the Latrobe Valley, as everywhere, we do have a homelessness issue, and a lot of the time they will not go into a home because of their pets and not wanting to leave their pets. So that is something for us to think about as a Parliament moving forward.

This bill coming through gives some clarity about what the rules and regulations are going to be when we are rehoming pets and also gives some guidelines for councils and so forth. I know of a Saturday morning in Traralgon, when I am out going for a walk, we have a club run by Dave and Cath Roberts, and they have greyhound dogs which they rehome. I know the member for Gippsland East has a menagerie of pets up where he lives, and he is a little bit like Dr Doolittle, I think. He thinks he can talk to the animals and often does, and I think sometimes he would rather spend more time talking with them than other people that may be giving him grief around the place.

As I said before, in bringing these amendments through we do have to make sure that we are doing the right thing. There are those rogue people out there that want to do the wrong thing, unfortunately, and we need to make sure that we are doing the right thing.

The main purpose of the bill is to provide authorisation schemes for pet rehoming organisations to assist those organisations to actually rehome much-beloved dogs and cats and to further provide for councils to be informed about animals in foster care in their municipal districts. People are doing this work. It is volunteer work and it is unpaid work, but it is work that they really do want to do because of their love for our four-legged friends as we find the need to make sure that our pets and other people’s pets are safe. I know we did have a big influx when we went through COVID; a lot of people were buying domestic pets. But as we came out of COVID there was a big push and a big need for a lot of pets to be rehomed. So we need to make sure that we have got all our rules and regulations in place for them to be able to do that.

As I finish up on these domestic animal amendments, it is timely to just go over again the importance of being able to connect with an animal.

I know we are talking about cats and dogs here, but there have been other members in this chamber that have been talking about other pets and their journey of having a pet actually live with them for 10, 15 years. When those pets do pass it is heartbreaking. It is sometimes exactly the same feeling that you do get when you lose a family member, because no matter how you are feeling – if you are happy, if you are sad, if you are stressed – our wonderful pets put all that aside and just treat us warmly and with unconditional love.

In the last 10 seconds that I have – I started by talking about the mighty Hawks.

Brad Rowswell interjected.

Martin CAMERON: As the member for Sandringham notes, we will go over and win this weekend.

Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (15:51): I am so very pleased to be able to join all these wonderful, wonderful contributions on the importance of the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025. This does speak very much to our values as Victorians. It has been a really delightful way to finish the week to hear about the Broadmeadows animals, to hear about the animals of Mildura, to hear about – was it a ferret? – all sorts of other wonderful creatures, all creatures great and small.

Of course it needs to be known very clearly that when it comes to decisions about whether somebody is a cat person or a dog person, I have no doubts. I am very clearly a bit tribal, and it is dogs all the way for our family. It has to be dogs all the way because we have a birdwatcher in the family, and of course the dogs and the other family members are joined in their love of birds – of setting them or watching them or whatever else needs to happen to make sure that we are looking at them and loving everything about the beautiful environment we live in.

This bill speaks to our values, as I said, and belief that our community is stronger when we look after the most vulnerable, and we acknowledge that the vulnerable extends to the animals in our care – to the cats and the dogs who depend entirely on us for their safety and wellbeing. Of course I will be talking about Orlagh and Finn at some point during this contribution.

I do want to also make sure that I recognise that in my electorate of Cranbourne, as in so many other parts of the state, we have an extraordinary number of registered animals. We have somewhere in the realm of 8500 registered animals. So my community is well aware of the importance of compassion, responsibility and respect for the animals who bring so much happiness to our lives. I see it at the dog park. I see it as I am up and down doorknocking in all the wonderful greetings I receive from the pooches of Cranbourne.

Across Victoria, and particularly in Cranbourne, volunteers and staff members in rehoming organisations, shelters and foster networks work day and night to give cats and dogs a second chance. An incredible example of this is of course the Lost Dogs’ Home. I know anyone who has had the opportunity to visit the Lost Dogs’ Home will be aware of the role that they play in Cranbourne, in the context of the Cranbourne Lost Dogs’ home, but also in North Melbourne. The home is the largest open-intake animal shelter in Victoria and provides care to more than 18,000 animals a year, and that is from its sites across both North Melbourne and Cranbourne. Of course I am going to take the opportunity to recognise the home. I was visiting the Lost Dogs’ Home only a few weeks ago. It is hard to knock back any opportunity to go and see the extraordinary work that they do there. They do have a leading role in animal welfare, and of course they have actually been instrumental in five of the recommendations that are included in this bill through the rehoming pets working group.

Paul Edbrooke interjected.

Pauline RICHARDS: I am going to take up the interjection from the member for Frankston and say I did not take a pet home, but I did enjoy a little bit of time having a pooch. In fact I had a nice bit of time with a kitten, which was unusual for me, but it was something that was maybe good for both of us.

The home partners with 51 rescue organisations and maintains a large and active foster care network. In light of the fact that the role of rescue organisations is a key focus of this bill today, I am going to take the opportunity to thank the Lost Dogs’ Home for all of the work that they do and their efforts in this field and acknowledge their rescue partners, the foster carers and the many volunteers that support their work.

I am going to particularly make mention of the work of Malcolm Roberts-Palmer, Gillian Victor, Amanda Smith and Jess Wilde. When I did have the pleasure of visiting the Lost Dogs’ Home, as I said, just recently, it was to congratulate them on the funding that they have received as part of the animal welfare grants. They do fantastic work, and this bill very much honours this work.

I am going to just take us on a journey of the importance of Irish setters. There are people who are part of the setter faction, and the setter faction includes people who are supporters of and lovers of Irish, English and Gordon setters. Davydd Griffiths, who is known by many of us on this side of the chamber, is part of the English setter faction, and he has certainly with his dogs Pixie and Lionel been able to care for and love his pooches. Unfortunately, he has lost them both, and I know that has been a source of great sadness. On Irish setters, I am going to thank Eireannmada, and particularly Greg Browne, for the way that he has worked so diligently to support our Irish setters in Victoria and indeed across Australia. He is a person who cares greatly about animal welfare and also makes sure that our beautiful breed is very well cared for. All of the opportunities he has to show dogs and to educate people about the importance of these extraordinary animals are to be commended.

In this context particularly I want to acknowledge that Orlagh and Finn ought to be a source of great pride. If Orlagh and Finn are watching now, I will say, ‘Get off the couch, and whatever it is that you’re chewing, Orlagh, can you please return it to the washing basket?’ Last time, of course, Orlagh ended up at the Cranbourne South vets, and so it is an opportunity for me to thank the Cranbourne South vets for the role they play in caring for our animals.

We also have Meow and Friends, which is a local vet surgery that does extraordinary work as a community vet and particularly has aspirations about making sure that our community more broadly cares for their animals in a way that takes account of people’s capacity to be able to care for their animals. I am also going to acknowledge and thank everyone at Lyndhurst Lodge. This is a family-owned haven for our pooches. They are just the most wonderful people, and I am grateful every day for the way that they care for so many of the animals in our area. And finally, of course, we have Ash and the team at Green Meadows. Cranbourne is very well served by a community of people who care for their pooches and their animals, their cats and dogs.

This bill, though, I do want to acknowledge, addresses recommendations 7 to 11 of the final report from the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets – these recommendations call for a regulatory framework for the pet rehoming sector – and it does ensure consistency, transparency and accountability. For too long, we know, people have worked long hours in some of our community vets. This is not glamorous work. It is often done after hours with little thanks and sometimes at personal cost. People open their homes to frightened or abandoned animals, and oftentimes they sit up through the night bottle-feeding kittens or calming a traumatised dog. They do it because they believe every animal deserves a chance at a safe and loving home. This does honour the organisations like the Lost Dogs’ Home, who have been at the forefront of animal welfare for decades, and it is often with limited resources.

On those very short contributions, I am going to thank the Minister for Agriculture for the work of bringing this legislation to us. I am very much conscious of how important it is that our hardworking officials in the department do the work that is necessary to keep people where they need to be. This is important legislation, and I am very much looking forward to the way that we bring this to fruition. I am very much looking forward to continuing our conversations with the community.

This is wonderful work that is done across the Victorian community. As we go further – and I notice more and more pet lovers are walking into the chamber – I know that we will always be conscious that our animals are sentient beings. This is wonderful legislation. I commend the bill to the house and wish it a speedy passage.

Belinda WILSON (Narre Warren North) (16:00): I move:

That the debate be now adjourned.

Motion agreed to and debate adjourned.

Ordered that debate be adjourned until later this day