Animal Justice MP Andy Meddick wants to ‘work with farmers’
VICTORIA’S first animal liberationist MP has claimed he wants to work with farmers despite previous calls for radical changes to agriculture.
VICTORIA’S first animal liberation MP claims he wants to work with farmers, despite previous calls for radical changes to agriculture.
Animal Justice MP Andy Meddick delivered his maiden speech to the Legislative Council last week, detailing his background as “a vegan animal rights activist”.
He won 2.7 per cent of the upper house primary vote at last year’s state election, however, strong preferences from Labor enabled Mr Meddick to be elected to represent the region, which covers nearly a third of Victoria from Geelong to the state border.
“(Western Victorian residents) are all of the utmost importance to me," the Torquay-based MP said. “From the native wildlife to the domestic companion animals, from the first nation’s peoples to the diverse people of Geelong and the other regional cities, to the farmers.
“Yes, the farmers. I am here to extend the hand of understanding, to offer an olive branch, to help them adapt to the changes that our climate emergency will force us all to make.”
In the speech, Mr Meddick reiterated his advocacy to ban 1080 baiting, the abolition of greyhound and steeplechase racing and duck shooting.
He also called for an independent office of animal protection, with full investigative and prosecution powers.
Meanwhile, Victorian Agricultural Minister Jaclyn Symes has refused to divulge her opinion on whether the controversial animal activist group Aussie Farms should have its charity status revoked.
Ms Symes, who was on leave until last week, was asked in question time if the State Government supported the Federal Government’s request for the charities commission to remove the group’s status after it released a map tracking farms and businesses across the country last month.
Ms Symes said “matters of charitable status is not a matter for the Minister for Agriculture” and that she was “not in a position” to provide an opinion.
When asked whether she would write to the charities commission in support of the Federal Government’s request, Ms Symes said she would “take it on board and have conversations with the relevant minister”, which she said was Treasurer, and “might” provide further information.
The Labor Government has since raised the issue with the Commonwealth, during a meeting of State and Federal Agricultural Ministers in Adelaide.
READ MORE
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.
Weeded out by free workers
Shire councils are employing hundreds under the Working for Victoria Scheme, but their free services are undercutting existing rural businesses.