Animal welfare
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:24): (1001) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture. For months the local community in Mount Eliza has been begging authorities to intervene at a property where a former horse trainer is starving dozens of horses. A few weeks ago a colt was found dead with his ribs and organs exposed after months of neglect. Authorities have continued to state that our state’s weak animal protection laws have made it difficult for them to act. The government committed to replacing these laws almost 10 years ago, but they have failed to introduce them into Parliament. This is despite the bill being written, and animals are literally dying as a result of it. Will the minister introduce the new Animal Care and Protection Bill into Parliament this year?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:24): I thank Ms Purcell for her question. This question will be relayed on to the Minister for Agriculture for a response.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:25): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Victoria has some of the lowest penalties in the nation for offences against animals. Not only are our outdated laws making it difficult for authorities to intervene, in instances where they do, offenders are merely receiving a slap on the wrist. Even under the government’s draft new laws, for an offence to commit an act of cruelty the penalty is 250 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment. In comparison, Queensland’s penalty is $272,000 more for the same offence and Western Australia’s penalty is five years imprisonment. Will the minister amend the draft bill before it is introduced to have penalties reflective of other states?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:25): Again I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question, and again, that will be passed on to the Minister for Agriculture for a response.