Mr AH KIT - 1996-10-16
The minister must know that the Territory's animal welfare laws are the weakest in Australia. Some 18 months ago, the then minister, the member for Nightcliff, released a paper committing his government to protect animals through stronger laws. The discussion paper called for comment by 30 June 1995. Since that time, no legislation has appeared. Will the current minister take responsibility for the appalling state of the Territory's animal welfare laws and will the most recent tragic events at Tipperary Station stir him and his government into action?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a good question. I am surprised that the honourable member is so au fait with current affairs that he has asked this question today. The former minister did release a public discussion paper some time ago.
Mr Ah Kit: Eighteen months ago.
Mr PALMER: Yes. A number of comments have been received, and not only from within the Northern Territory. This issue has been discussed nationally for some time. My department is in the process of preparing drafting instructions. We are progressing with draft legislation in what is a very difficult area. It is an area in which consideration has to be given to a large number of competing views. Not only the issues of cruelty to animals and animal welfare have to be taken into account, but also the competing interests of the animal industries. It is a very difficult and complex area in which to legislate. We are progressing towards being able to release a draft bill to enable us to advance further towards the preparation of legislation.
It comes as some surprise to me that the opposition has picked up on this. Members opposite are right on to the issue.
Members interjecting.
Mr Stirling: Are you going to fine Warren?
Mr Hatton: The RSPCA representative spoke about this matter on the radio this morning.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr PALMER: I will take up that interjection. Do you think we should fine Warren?
Mr Stirling: I am asking. Are you going to?
Mr PALMER: We will not charge him.
Mr Stirling: That is all right then.
Mr PALMER: Yes. There is no intention.
Members interjecting.
Mr PALMER: I will pick up that interjection too. As the chairperson of the RSPCA said on radio this morning, the present legislation requires that intent or malice be proven in cases taken to the court. My veterinary officers are of the opinion that there was no intent or malice in this instance ...
Mr Ah Kit: Does that make it all right?
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Mr PALMER: Would you suggest that my veterinary officers should go to court and perjure themselves? They do not believe any malice was involved. They are the prime witnesses. By way of interjection, you can answer that. Do you suggest that I instruct my veterinary officers to front the court and perjure themselves in order somehow to concoct a ...
Mr Bell interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr PALMER: I was responding to interjections.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would appreciate it if the minister would complete the answer to the question and not continue to respond to interjections.
Mr PALMER: This government is working towards producing revised animal welfare legislation in the Northern Territory, and it will be presented to the Assembly in due course.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a good question. I am surprised that the honourable member is so au fait with current affairs that he has asked this question today. The former minister did release a public discussion paper some time ago.
Mr Ah Kit: Eighteen months ago.
Mr PALMER: Yes. A number of comments have been received, and not only from within the Northern Territory. This issue has been discussed nationally for some time. My department is in the process of preparing drafting instructions. We are progressing with draft legislation in what is a very difficult area. It is an area in which consideration has to be given to a large number of competing views. Not only the issues of cruelty to animals and animal welfare have to be taken into account, but also the competing interests of the animal industries. It is a very difficult and complex area in which to legislate. We are progressing towards being able to release a draft bill to enable us to advance further towards the preparation of legislation.
It comes as some surprise to me that the opposition has picked up on this. Members opposite are right on to the issue.
Members interjecting.
Mr Stirling: Are you going to fine Warren?
Mr Hatton: The RSPCA representative spoke about this matter on the radio this morning.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr PALMER: I will take up that interjection. Do you think we should fine Warren?
Mr Stirling: I am asking. Are you going to?
Mr PALMER: We will not charge him.
Mr Stirling: That is all right then.
Mr PALMER: Yes. There is no intention.
Members interjecting.
Mr PALMER: I will pick up that interjection too. As the chairperson of the RSPCA said on radio this morning, the present legislation requires that intent or malice be proven in cases taken to the court. My veterinary officers are of the opinion that there was no intent or malice in this instance ...
Mr Ah Kit: Does that make it all right?
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Mr PALMER: Would you suggest that my veterinary officers should go to court and perjure themselves? They do not believe any malice was involved. They are the prime witnesses. By way of interjection, you can answer that. Do you suggest that I instruct my veterinary officers to front the court and perjure themselves in order somehow to concoct a ...
Mr Bell interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr PALMER: I was responding to interjections.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would appreciate it if the minister would complete the answer to the question and not continue to respond to interjections.
Mr PALMER: This government is working towards producing revised animal welfare legislation in the Northern Territory, and it will be presented to the Assembly in due course.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016