Animal welfare
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (17:37): (1855) My adjournment matter today is for the Minister for Police, and the action I seek is for her to establish an animal protection department of Victoria Police. This specialised operation would be dedicated to responding to, enforcing and prosecuting animal cruelty. Last sitting week in committee the Deputy Leader of the Government in this chamber made it clear that VicPol, Ag Vic and the RSPCA are ill equipped to respond appropriately to animals who are suffering. The new ag gag law now makes it increasingly difficult to help animals in need. This, combined with the failings of existing departments to respond to, enforce and prosecute animal cruelty, serves only to perpetuate our low standards of animal welfare. I established last sitting week that our international animal welfare ranking is embarrassingly low. This is the only reason why people conduct covert investigations in sheds, cages and slaughterhouses. The answer to this problem is not to create more laws but to protect animals from acts that the casual observer would reasonably consider to be cruel.
First, the government’s new animal welfare laws must apply to all animals without exception. Then there must be a swift response to reports of animal cruelty, followed by immediate prosecution. Victoria Police is the perfect agency to do this. Other countries are already ensuring that the lives, sentience and dignity of non-human animals are written into legislation and constitutions with these types of offices. Some countries already have sections of law enforcement dedicated to animal protection—not yet in Australia. This government has an opportunity to be this nation’s leader in animal welfare and protection. An animal protection branch of VicPol would be a testament to this government’s endeavours to bring animal welfare reform.
To ensure our current and forthcoming animal protection laws are properly enforced, I ask that the Minister for Police take immediate steps to establish an animal protection branch of Victoria Police. It would be my pleasure to assist her in this regard.