Animal welfare will be on the agenda as Queenslanders head to the polls in October!
RSPCA Queensland has joined forces with the Australian Alliance for Animals to highlight a range of critical animal welfare concerns and the level of support each party shows on these key issues during the Queensland state election. These concerns are aimed at creating a fair and independent animal welfare governance system in Australia.
What needs to change - the 6 key issues
Australia's animal welfare system is failing to provide animals with adequate care and protection.
There are six key issues in urgent need of reform:
1. Increasing wildlife funding
An investment of $15 million in capital contribution to the new RSPCA Qld Wildlife Hospital Centre of Excellence, a Centre that can support proactive wildlife care through education, training and research, as well as emergency care. This investment will demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to the future of Queensland's wildlife.
2. Establishing a state animal welfare authority
Biosecurity Queensland, a service of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is the government's lead agency for animal welfare activities in Queensland. When a single department is tasked with both overseeing animal welfare and promoting agricultural and fisheries industries, it can result in a real, potential, or perceived conflict of interest.
An independent regulatory authority for animal welfare needs to be established to help ensure impartial decision making, enhance transparency, and build public trust in animal welfare enforcement.
3. Phasing out battery cages
In 2023, the National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry were finalised and included a battery cage phase-out period between 2032-2036, however they do not come into effect until the state government implements them by updating the state legislation.
Despite all State and Territories agreeing to phase out battery cages, no states* have implemented it in law. It is time the agreed and endorsed Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry into Queensland legislation before June 2025, with a phase out date for conventional battery cages of 2032.
*ACT banned battery cages in 2014
4. Ending puppy farming
Puppy farming is the indiscriminate, intensive breeding of dogs for commercial purposes with emphasis on production and profit where little or no consideration is given to the welfare of the animals. Dogs bred in these facilities often suffer numerous animal welfare concerns including overcrowding, confinement, unsanitary conditions, and a lack of basic and veterinary care, resulting in disease, distress and even serious medical concerns.
Stronger laws are needed to better regulate the conduct of businesses breeding dogs for profit, through strengthening the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and associated Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Breeding of Dogs and their Progeny (the Code of Practice).
5. Removing shark nets
Shark nets are indiscriminate killers. Animals caught in these nets experience fear, stress and pain, some species will drown, and others will succumb to their injuries and die. For those released alive, we have no way of knowing their fate and if the ordeal led to death soon after release.
It is time to remove shark nets from the Queensland coastline and implementing alternative shark mitigation technology that does not endanger marine life.
6. Phasing out live lamb cutting (mulesing)
Mulesing is an animal management practice used by farmers to control fly strike in sheep. It is currently legal for farmers to use metal shears to cut away skin from around the hindquarters and tail of young lambs without any pain relief.
Australia is the only country in the world where live lamb cutting is still permitted. This practice highlights the ongoing prioritisation of industry interests over animal welfare. It is time to introduce legislation to phase out live lamb cutting (mulesing), and to promote the breeding of fly-strike-resistant sheep.
Animals deserve better. Support a fairer future for all animals.
Authorised by Darren Maier, 139 Wacol Station Road, Wacol
