Time to act on Office of Animal Welfare

It is time for Labor MPs to put their money where their mouth is and make good on supposed support for an Independent Office of Animal Welfare, said Australian Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon. 

“Reports that a group of Labor MPs will again push for an Independent Office of Animal Welfare are wearing thin in the face of almost two years of feet-dragging by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig”, said Senator Rhiannon.

“The Greens have long called for an Independent Office and we challenge Labor to walk their talk and introduce legislation into parliament before the election to create a real win for animal welfare. 

“The ALP has had an Independent Office of Animal Welfare on the cards since 2011 but when I pressed Minister Ludwig in budget estimates over a year ago, he side-stepped the question. Labor’s ongoing stalling highlights the lack of political will on this issue. 

“The cruelty involved in live exports is just one of many issues that should drive the establishment of an independent watchdog for animal welfare.

“So long as animal welfare remains under the domain of the Minister for Primary Industries, the interests of animals will come in second to the interests of agribusiness”, said Senator Rhiannon.