Greens flag animal welfare action

Opposition, minor party and independent MPs in state parliament could combine to force improvements to Tasmania’s animal welfare laws, Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor says.

More than 250 puppies were surrendered to the RSPCA after the shutdown of Tasmania's biggest puppy farm. The permanent and immediate closure of Tasmanian Labradoodles. Picture: RSPCA

Opposition, minor party and independent MPs in state parliament could combine to force improvements to Tasmania’s animal welfare laws if the minority Liberals did not introduce the strong reforms required, Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor says.

Ms O’Connor said she believed Labor has shown its interest in strengthening the law after a series of scandals including in the racing and meat processing industries.

The Tasmanian Livestock Processing Taskforce report released on Sunday made 12 recommendations including mandatory video monitoring be implemented in slaughterhouses under the Animal Welfare Act 1993 within two years.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jane Howlett said Tasmanian government accepted 11 of recommendations in full and one in principle.”

Greens Animal Justice spokeswoman Cassy O’Connor said nothing short of a complete overhaul of the Animal Welfare Act was needed.

“Whether it’s the state slaughterhouses, the greyhound industry, the racing industry, the Labradoodles on the puppy farm, what we know here in Tasmania is that our more than 30-year-old Animal Welfare Act is failing animals. For too long, it’s been left weak.

Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Monday November 11, 2024.

“We need stronger standards, we need higher penalties. We need to recognise that animals are thinking, feeling beings that can experience mental suffering.”

Ms O’Connor said Tasmanian needed an independent animal welfare inspectorate to crack down on breaches of cruelty laws and said with the Liberals in minority, parliament could do the work if the government proved uninterested.

“We’re really keen to start talking to Labor about how the parliament can work collectively and in both houses to strengthen the Act, because we believe that’s what Tasmanians expect and deserve — and more importantly, that’s what animals deserve.”

Ms O’Connor said comments by Labor leader Dean Winter about racing and puppy farms showed Labor could be willing to join with others to act.

“It was surprising to see Dean Winter express his support for strengthening the law, given it wasn’t long ago Labor joined the Liberals in defeating Greens’ amendments to the Animal Welfare Act, but we’re pleased the Labor leader now seems to be open-minded.

“We’re keen to talk to the Opposition about finding common ground where reform might be possible.

“We’ve seen animal abuse being exposed only to be followed by inaction by government too many times. It’s time to break the cycle, and for the sake of the voiceless animals who suffer under our weak laws we hope this Parliament has the willingness to make real change.”

Originally published as Greens flag animal welfare action