Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) presented a petition bearing 10,410 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the delay in the introduction of the draft Animal Care and Protection Bill to Parliament. The draft Bill seeks to replace the current and less efficacious Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

The RSPCA has more animal neglect, cruelty, and abuse cases than they can manage with the number of inspectors they have. They are hampered by current legislation that is not fit for purpose when animals need to be seized immediately and in large numbers.

On the Mornington Peninsula, a group of over 7,800 individuals have signed a community petition to the RSPCA and Agriculture Victoria and 1,100 people joined a peaceful protest page which gained coverage by the Somerville Times and Peninsula Local News, Channel 10 News, 3AW and the Herald Sun about the dire situation. There are dozens more cases like this. Action is needed now.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to immediately introduce the draft Animal Care and Protection Bill which seeks to replace the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Georgie PURCELL: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday next sitting week.