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Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, moved a motion calling on the Federal Government to set up an Independent Office of Animal Welfare and work with states and territories to improve, harmonise and implement strict animal welfare standards, guidelines and laws. Please see above video for full speech.

“Cruelty to animals is something I’ve long stood against in Parliament because, like most in the community, we understand that animal cruelty is just plain wrong,” Mr Wilkie said.

“It was an appalling decision by the Abbott Government in 2013 to abolish the national strategy for animal welfare and its advisory committee, and to flick oversight of animal welfare standards to disinterested and conflicted state and territory governments. So yes, the Albanese Government’s commitment to at least re-establish an animal welfare strategy is welcome. However, without comprehensive national oversight, there is no doubt Australia has an animal welfare crisis, and that’s where we will stay without reform.

“Indeed animal cruelty is commonplace in greyhound and horse racing, live exports, the industrial production of food and fibre, rodeos, and puppy and kitten farms. For example, many people in Tasmania were appalled by the inhumane and inadequate conditions in the state’s largest puppy mill, Tasmanian Labradoodles.

“Moreover, the treatment of dogs in the greyhound racing industry remains appalling. This includes outrageous levels of injury and death, physical overexertion, inadequate housing, lack of socialisation and environmental enrichment, cruel training practices, illegal live baiting, administration of banned or unregistered substances, and euthanasia of poorly performing or unwanted dogs.

“And let’s not forget the horse racing industry, where the cruelty extends beyond the racetrack and the whip is still allowed. The overbreeding of retried racehorses is poorly regulated and often involves constant pregnancy and birthing. As in the case of Black Caviar, who was forced to bear nine foals, this dramatically increases the risks of injury, infection and death.

“The Government must work to fix this crisis. That’s why I’m moving this motion calling on the Government to set up an Independent Office of Animal Welfare, an agency which can take a leadership role in developing and overseeing animal welfare in Australia, and bring the states and territories to the table to improve standards. To do anything less is unconscionable complicity in ongoing cruelty.”