Thursday, 18 May 2023

Northern Victoria Region

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:51): (188) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Recently one of my constituents reported a neighbouring property in Huntly to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action for animal cruelty concerns towards farmed sheep and goats. At this farm animals do not have sufficient food, often become visibly sick and lame and are left untreated to suffer and die in the elements over a number of days. The bodies are then also left to rot over extended periods instead of being removed and disposed of appropriately. This is causing great distress to my constituents, who are concerned for animal welfare as well as the protection of the environment and surrounding waterways. Since being reported to DEECA, the issue has persisted over a matter of months now, without improvement. So my question to the minister is: what was the outcome of DEECA’s investigation into this farm, considering animals continue to suffer and die there?