Thursday, 4 August 2022

Lost Dogs Home

Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (12:10): My question without notice is to the Minister for Agriculture. The Lost Dogs Home is an iconic organisation in this state, and it has been in its current location in North Melbourne for 112 years. It cares for more than 25 000 animals every year, and many thousands of families have found their pet through the home’s adoption services, including mine. We adopted a gorgeous little fluffy white kitten called Yoda about seven or eight years ago—mad cat it is. The government has made it clear it intends to bulldoze the Lost Dogs Home to make way for its own plans. Alarmingly at this point there seems to be no central replacement site. Minister, what are you doing to provide the Lost Dogs Home with a new central location?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:11): I thank Mr Finn for his question and his new-found love of animals, and Yoda in particular. I am sure that he is a welcome addition to Mr Finn’s family. The fact of the matter is that this government has been incredibly progressive when it comes to animal welfare issues, and we have got a program that has been backed up in relation to the last state budget. There was a significant allocation of moneys to animal welfare. In terms of the issue that you raise in particular, I am currently asking for advice from the department in respect to the position that has been pursued, and I am more than happy to provide you with further information, Mr Finn.

Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (12:12): I hope that the minister will provide further information, because she certainly did not in that answer. My supplementary question, Minister, is: a relocation of this nature will involve significant expense through stamp duty and other taxes and charges. Can you give this house an ironclad guarantee that the government will not impose any such charges on the Lost Dogs Home, particularly given it is the Andrews government that is forcing the move?

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:12): Again, similar to my answer to the substantive, that line of questioning will be covered off in respect to the answer. But the fact of the matter is that—

Mr Finn: You haven’t given us an answer yet.

Ms TIERNEY: No, I have not given you the answer you want, Mr Finn.

Mr Finn interjected.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Mr Finn, you asked the question. The minister is done.