Animal Justice Party Calls for an Independent Office of Animal Welfare (IOAW)

The idea of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare has been discussed and proposed at a federal level for a number of years, with the Greens introducing bills in the federal parliament in 2013 and 2015. In stark contrast, the Abbott Government took animal welfare off the Commonwealth agenda in 2013. Instead, this Liberal Government left individual departments of agriculture to be primarily responsible for implementing animal welfare standards.

The conflict of interest is clear. Departments of agriculture are charged with protecting and promoting profits for the agriculture industry while at the same time ensuring animal welfare. Revenue raising and animal welfare do not make happy bed-fellows.

“This has to change”, said Karen Bevis, lead senate candidate for the Animal Justice Party in Tasmania, “Considering the growth of the vote for the Animal Justice Party since the first election it contested on the mainland in 2013, the shift in community expectations and attitudes towards animal welfare in Australia has never been greater”.

“The establishment of an IOAW provides an opportunity to meet community expectations and deliver a new national framework for animal welfare and protection.”

“The Animal Justice Party’s proposed IOAW model is one of an independent, central and active voice for animals at a federal level.”

“To preserve its independence and avoid the current conflicts of interest that plague animal welfare regulation at a state and territory level, an IOAW must be established as an independent statutory authority, with its functions, powers and administration enshrined in legislation.”

Authorised by W.Sloane, 66 Allara Street Canberra City 2600

Notes:

• The Animal Justice Party (AJP) was formed in 2009 to help ensure principles of kindness, compassion and capability are applied to all animals in all parliaments of this country.

• The AJP contested the 2013 Federal election nationwide in the Senate in six jurisdictions as well as several lower house seats, receiving nearly 100,000 votes altogether. It is registered in both Victoria and New South Wales, more than doubling its vote in the 2014 Victorian state election, tripling its vote in the 2015 NSW state election and installing our first MP, Mark Pearson. The party will be running in more than 50 seats in the 2016 Federal Election.

• The party is introduced in this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1pDePPD38

• Read our policies, charter, constitution and meet our candidates here: www.animaljusticeparty.org
Karen Bevis, Senate Candidate for Tasmania