House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Bills Bills Animal Welfare Bill Animal Welfare Bill Animal Welfare Bill Introduction and First Reading Introduction and First Reading The Hon. S.E. CLOSE House of Assembly Port Adelaide Deputy Premier Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy) (16:05): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to provide for the protection of animal welfare and the prevention of harm to animals, to make related amendments to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, the Sentencing Act 2017 and the Veterinary Services Act 2023, to repeal the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and for other purposes. Read a first time. Second Reading Second Reading The Hon. S.E. CLOSE House of Assembly Port Adelaide Deputy Premier Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy) (16:06): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am so pleased to be bringing this piece of legislation to the house. This bill will replace the Animal Welfare Act 1985. One of the government's key commitments has been to modernise animal welfare laws so they are consistent with contemporary practices, science and community expectations. I have been heartened by community interest in the review of the state's animal welfare laws through the two consultation phases that informed this bill. Over 1,000 submissions were received on each occasion. On that basis, I can today present a bill that is well informed by extensive stakeholder and community engagement that will meet the expectations of South Australians. The bill will also lead the nation in some areas, including its significant increases to penalties for animal welfare offences. I am very encouraged by the community support for these increases. The bill addresses seven key reform areas, with an eighth area of reform on shelter licensing that will be progressed in the next year. The seven areas of reform relate to: updating the purpose and including objects in the act to better explain why the law exists and help readers interpret its intent; better recognising animal sentience to acknowledge that animals experience feelings, both positive, such as pleasure, and negative, such as pain and fear; broadening the definition of 'animal' so that more types of animals are covered by law—the exclusion of fish has been removed and cephalopods such as squid, octopus and cuttlefish are included in the context of scientific purposes; introducing a duty of care provision to create a positive requirement to provide a minimum level of protection; improving regulation, oversight and transparency of the research and teaching sector, which enables greater accountability and addresses community concerns; increased abilities to administer and enforce the act so that people who do not meet animal welfare requirements can be held to account, cruelty can be prevented and welfare can be promoted; and contemporising the governance and administrative provisions for the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to ensure that animal welfare advice comes from a transparent and diverse group. The bill provides a new framework with a multitude of improvements that put animal welfare at the centre of decision-making. The bill clearly states that animals are recognised as living beings, with the ability to experience positive and negative states. A broader range of animals are included within the definition so that the law has a wider reach in protecting animal welfare and preventing harm. A new duty of care proactively obliges owners to provide food, water and appropriate living conditions. Greater accountability within the research and teaching sector will be introduced through updated terminology and improved licencing and registration requirements. The bill creates for the first time an animal welfare fund to capture licence fees, fines and penalties that can be put back into supporting and promoting animal welfare outcomes. The range of tools available in this legislation will make its enforcement much more effective, swift and animal focused. Tools such as interim orders, notices to comply and enforceable undertakings are modern ways to achieve outcomes that are tailored to their circumstances. Some of the enforcement tools include seizure as a consequence of noncompliance. Seizure of animals is never undertaken lightly; it is only used where required for the welfare of the animal. Under the changes proposed, the ongoing welfare of the seized animals is the priority. Instead of seized animals being held for long periods of time, sometimes years, while waiting for a court outcome, the bill provides for the animal to be considered forfeited after 30 days unless the owner uses the appeal process. This enables the animals to be managed and rehomed to ensure their long-term wellbeing. Owners are still provided with natural justice rights and can appeal the decision to seize to the minister. An additional avenue of appeal to SACAT has been provided in the bill on process grounds. The bill also proactively prevents harm by addressing interstate offenders coming into South Australia through recognition of interstate animal welfare orders. Additionally, the government has incorporated a recommendation from the Independent Inquiry into the Governance of the Greyhound Racing Industry within the bill. The house will be aware that the inquiry recommended that animal welfare reporting obligations should be introduced so that persons working in the sector must report any suspicions of animal welfare offences being committed. The Animal Welfare Bill introduces those obligations so that employees, contractors and volunteers in the sector must report their suspicions. Perhaps some members may feel cautious the bill expands the definition of 'animal' to include fish and also applies to cephalopods such as cuttlefish, squid and octopus for scientific purposes. I can assure the house that fishing and aquaculture will not be affected. Fishing practices will still be carried out in compliance with the relevant legislation, namely the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and the Aquaculture Act 2001. The Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, which researchers must abide by, covers the use of cuttlefish, squid and octopus. The provisions known as Koda's Law are brought into the animal welfare legislation from their previous operation under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act. These provisions recognise that harming or causing death to a working animal are a specific offence, with penalties commensurate to other ill treatment of an animal offences. Cost orders may also be sought specifically compensating for damage or loss of a working animal. I am thrilled to be bringing these reforms here today. This bill significantly progresses animal welfare outcomes in South Australia and will bring the law into line with what the community increasingly expects. The bill presents a robust framework that will be of immediate use in responding to animal welfare issues. It has sought to anticipate potential regulatory needs to provide the basis for future management. I commend the bill to the house and seek leave to insert the explanation of clauses without my reading it. Leave granted. Explanation of Clauses Explanation of Clauses Part 1—Preliminary 1—Short title This clause is formal. 2—Commencement Commencement of the measure is by proclamation. Section 27(6) of the Legislation Interpretation Act 2021 is disapplied. 3—Interpretation This clause defines terms and phrases used in the measure. 4—Application of Act This clause clarifies that the measure does not derogate from other Acts or laws. 5—Principles and objects of Act This clause sets out the principles and objects of the measure. Part 2—Animal welfare offences 6—General duty of care This clause provides that the owner of an animal must provide the animal with appropriate and adequate food, water and living conditions (whether temporary or permanent) and must take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise harm to the animal. Breaching these care requirements is an offence. A defence is provided to a charge of an offence against the proposed section if the owner proves they were acting in accordance with a prescribed code of practice. 7—Ill treatment of animals etc This clause provides that it is an offence to ill treat an animal. The clause also creates aggravated offences where reckless or intentional ill treatment of an animal causes the death of, or serious harm to, the animal. The clause provides a list of examples of behaviour that would amount to ill treatment of an animal and provides that a person charged with an aggravated offence against the clause may be convicted of a lesser offence if the court is not satisfied that the aggravated offence has been established beyond reasonable doubt but is satisfied that the lesser offence has been so established. 8—Causing death or serious harm etc to working animals This clause replicates sections 83H and 83I of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. 9—Prohibited activities This clause makes it an offence to take part in a prohibited activity. The clause also creates an offence of being present in a place at which a prohibited activity is occurring. The clause provides a list of activities which are prohibited and provides a definition of what it means to take part in a prohibited activity. 10—Possession of certain items prohibited This clause prohibits the possession of certain items without the approval of the Minister. A list of prohibited items is provided. 11—Electrical devices not to be used in contravention of regulations This clause makes it an offence for a person to use an electrical device designed for the purpose of confining or controlling an animal in contravention of the regulations. 12—Jumps racing prohibited This clause makes it an offence for a person to organise, promote or participate in, or participate in organising or promoting, jumps racing. 13—Special requirements for greyhound racing entities This clause requires a person employed by a prescribed greyhound racing entity to, if the person suspects on reasonable grounds that an offence against proposed Part 2 is being committed and that suspicion is formed in the course of their employment, report their suspicion to the Minister. Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence. The clause sets out circumstances where a person need not report a suspicion under the clause. 14—Exemption for fishing activities etc This clause provides that aquaculture and fishing activities will not constitute an offence against proposed Part 2 provided that such activities are done in compliance with the Aquaculture Act 2001 or the Fisheries Management Act 2007 (as relevant) and do not involve any acts that are prescribed, in relation to aquaculture or fishing activities, as ill treatment of an animal by the regulations. Part 3—Advisory committees etc 15—Establishment of committees by Minister This clause provides that the Minister may establish committees, including an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. The membership of a committee established under this clause, the terms and conditions of office of members of a committee established under this clause, the allowances and expenses to which members of a committee established under this clause are entitled and the functions of a committee established under this clause will be determined by the Minister. 16—Conflict of interest This clause provides that a member of a committee will not be taken to have a direct or indirect interest in a matter by reason only of the fact that the member has an interest that is shared in common with those engaged in or associated with primary production generally, animal welfare organisations generally, veterinary practice generally or medical or biological research generally, or a substantial section of those engaged in or associated with any of those fields. Part 4—Licences, permits and registered activities Division 1—Licences for prescribed activities 17—Requirement to hold licence It is an offence for a person to undertake a prescribed activity, as defined in this clause, if the person does not hold a licence authorising the activity. 18—Classes of licence For the purposes of the measure, there will be the following licence classes: animal supplier's licence—a licence authorising the breeding and supplying of animals for scientific purposes; animal use licence—a licence authorising the keeping and use of animals for scientific purposes. The regulations may prescribe additional classes of licence, divide a class of licence into subclasses and prescribe the persons or organisations, or classes or groups of persons or organisations, to which licences, or any classes or subclasses of licences, may be granted. 19—Application for and grant of licence This clause sets out the requirements for an application for a licence. 20—Nomination of responsible person for compliance This clause requires an applicant for a licence who is not an individual to nominate an individual who will be the responsible person for complying with the conditions of, and any obligations under, the licence. If a person commits an offence in relation to the licence or the prescribed activity under the licence, the responsible person will also be guilty of an offence unless they prove that they could not, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, have prevented, or that they took all reasonable and practicable measure to prevent, the commission of the principal offence. 21—Conditions of licence This clause provides that a licence is subject to such conditions as the Minister may impose. It is an offence under this clause to contravene a condition of a licence. 22—Term and renewal of licence This clause sets out the term of a licence and the process for renewing the licence. 23—Licensee to notify change of particulars etc This clause requires a licensee to, within a specified timeframe, notify the Minister of certain changes. Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence. 24—Cancellation, suspension or surrender of licence This clause provides that the Minister may, in prescribed circumstances or if a licensee contravenes the measure or a condition of the licence, cancel the licence or suspend the licence for a specified period. This clause also allows a licensee to, with the Minister's approval, surrender their licence. Division 2—Permits 25—Permits for prescribed activities and items This clause provides that the Minister may, on application, grant a permit permitting a prescribed activity or permitting possession of a prescribed item. Organising, conducting, promoting or participating in a prescribed activity or possessing a prescribed item without a permit is an offence. A permit issued under this clause may be subject to conditions. Contravening a condition of a permit is an offence. The Minister may cancel, or suspend for a specified period, a permit issued under this clause. Division 3—Registered activities 26—Interpretation This clause defines terms used in the Division. 27—Activities that must be registered This clause makes it an offence for a person to, unless registered in accordance with this Division, conduct an activity involving the establishment and operation of an animal ethics committee for the purposes of approving any activities of a licensee or an activity of a kind prescribed by the regulations. 28—Minister may maintain registers This clause provides that the Minister may maintain registers for the purposes of the proposed Division. 29—Registration This clause sets out the requirements for an application for registration of an activity. 30—Nomination of responsible person for compliance This clause requires an applicant for registration of an activity who is not an individual to nominate an individual who will be the responsible person for complying with all conditions of the registration and any legal requirements applicable to the registered activity. If a person commits an offence in relation to the registration or the registered activity, the responsible person will also be guilty of an offence unless they prove that they could not, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, have prevented, or that they took all reasonable and practicable measure to prevent, the commission of the principal offence. 31—Conditions of registration This clause provides that registration of an activity is subject to such conditions as the Minister may impose. It is an offence under this clause to contravene a condition of registration. 32—Term and renewal of registration This clause sets out the term of registration of an activity and the process for renewing registration. 33—Animal ethics committees This clause establishes the membership requirements for, and the functions of, an animal ethics committee. If an animal ethics committee refuses or fails to perform its functions and conduct its business in compliance with the measure and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, the applicant who applied for registration in relation to the animal ethics committee, the responsible person (if any) nominated under proposed section 30 and each member of the animal ethics committee will be guilty of an offence unless they prove that they could not, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, have prevented, or that they took all reasonable and practicable measure to prevent, the commission of the offence. 34—Applicant to notify change of particulars etc This clause requires an applicant to, within specified timeframes, notify the Minister of certain changes. Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence. Part 5—Enforcement Division 1—Authorised officers Subdivision 1—Appointment and identification of authorised officers 35—Appointment of authorised officers This clause empowers the Minister to appoint a person to be an authorised officer for the purposes of the measure. An appointment may be subject to conditions specified in the instrument of appointment. 36—Identification of authorised officers This clause requires that authorised officers appointed under the proposed Part be issued with photo identity cards. An authorised officer must, at the request of a person in relation to whom the authorised officer intends to exercise powers under the measure or any other Act, produce for the inspection of the person their identity card. Subdivision 2—Powers of authorised officers 37—General powers This clause sets out the general powers of authorised officers. 38—Provisions relating to seizure of things other than animals This clause sets out the procedure for dealing with things other than animals seized by an authorised officer under proposed section 37. 39—Routine inspections This clause makes provision for authorised officers to conduct routine inspections of premises or vehicles for the purposes of administering the measure. 40—Animal welfare notices If an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that the exercise of powers under this clause is warranted, the authorised officer may give the owner of an animal an animal welfare notice specifying the action that the authorised officer considers should be taken for the welfare of the animal. Refusal or failure to comply with an animal welfare notice is an offence. An animal welfare notice may specify that refusal or failure to comply may result in the seizure and forfeiture of an animal or animals owned by the person in accordance with proposed section 46. 41—Notice to comply If an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that a person is contravening a requirement of the measure, the authorised officer may issue a notice to comply directing the person to take or cease specified action within a specified period. Refusal or failure to comply with such a notice is an offence. A notice to comply may specify that refusal or failure to comply may result in the seizure and forfeiture of an animal or animals owned by the person in accordance with proposed section 46. 42—Offence to hinder etc authorised officers This clause makes it an offence for a person to hinder an authorised officer or to falsely represent that the person is an authorised officer. This clause also makes it an offence for a person to refuse or fail to comply with a requirement of an authorised officer or to refuse or fail to answer questions to the best of the person's knowledge, information and belief. Division 2—Enforceable undertakings 43—Enforceable undertakings If the Minister is satisfied that a person is contravening a requirement of the measure, the Minister may ask the person to consent to an enforceable undertaking which sets out actions the person agrees to take or cease within a specified time, costs or expenses the person agrees to pay and any other matter that may be agreed between the Minister and the person. Refusal or failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking under this clause is an offence. An enforceable undertaking may specify that refusal or failure to comply may result in the seizure and forfeiture of an animal or animals owned by the person in accordance with proposed section 47. Division 3—Special powers relating to animals 44—Powers are additional This clause clarifies that powers under the proposed Division are additional to, and do not derogate from, any other powers conferred on an authorised officer, or the Minister, under the measure. 45—Special powers to protect animal welfare This clause empowers an authorised officer to examine an animal and its living conditions. If the authorised officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the animal is experiencing or will imminently experience unnecessary harm, pain or distress, the authorised officer is empowered to provide treatment and care to the animal or cause the living conditions of the animal to be modified or, if the authorised officer suspects that no other action can reasonably be taken or that any such action would not be effective to alleviate the animal's harm, pain or distress, seize the animal or destroy or arrange for the destruction of the animal. 46—Seizure and forfeiture following noncompliance with notice If the owner of an animal has refused or failed to comply with an animal welfare notice or a notice to comply and that notice specified that refusal or failure to comply may result in the animal being seized and forfeited in accordance with this clause, an authorised officer may, if the authorised officer reasonably believes it is in the best interests of the animal, seize the animal. The owner of an animal seized under this clause has 30 days to apply for a review of the decision to seize the animal before the animal is forfeited to the Minister. 47—Seizure and forfeiture following noncompliance with undertaking If the owner of an animal has refused or failed to comply with an enforceable undertaking and that undertaking specified that refusal or failure to comply may result in the animal being seized and forfeited in accordance with this clause, the Minister may, if the Minister reasonably believes it is in the best interests of the animal, seize the animal and declare that it is forfeited to the Minister. 48—Dealing with seized animals This clause sets out the procedure for dealing with animals seized under the measure. An authorised officer may keep an animal seized under the measure at the premises at which it was seized or move the seized animal to any other premises. The Minister may, in certain circumstances, sell, rehome, destroy or otherwise dispose of animals seized and no longer required to be retained. 49—Costs This clause provides that the costs and expenses reasonably incurred by a person or the Crown in taking action under the proposed Division may be recovered as a debt from the owner of the animal. Division 4—Court orders 50—Interim orders A court may, in proceedings for an offence against the measure, make such interim orders as the court considers appropriate. This clause sets out a nonexhaustive list of interim orders a court may make. Noncompliance with an interim order under this clause is an offence. 51—Court orders on finding of guilt etc This clause sets out a nonexhaustive list of orders that a court may make against persons found guilty of offences against the measure or if declared to be liable to supervision under Part 8A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. Noncompliance with an order under this clause is an offence. 52—Compensation and other costs—working animals This clause replicates sections 83J and 83K of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. Division 5—Miscellaneous 53—Warrant procedures This clause sets out the procedures to be followed in order to obtain a warrant from the Magistrates Court. 54—Self-incrimination This clause provides that a person cannot refuse or fail to produce, or provide a copy of, a document or information, or to answer a question, as required under the measure on the ground that to do so might tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty. However, if compliance with such a requirement by an individual might tend to incriminate the individual or make the individual liable to a penalty, then the fact of production, or provision of a copy of, the document or the information (as distinct from the contents of the document or the information), or the answer given in compliance with the requirement, is not admissible against the individual except in proceedings in respect of making a false or misleading statement. Part 6—Reviews 55—Reviews by Minister This clause entitles a person aggrieved by a decision of an authorised officer under Part 5 of the measure to apply to the Minister for review of the decision. 56—Reviews by SACAT This clause confers SACAT with jurisdiction to deal with matters consisting of the review of a decision of the Minister under this measure and establishes timeframes within which an application for review may be made. 57—Reviews of decisions of animal ethics committees This clause confers SACAT with jurisdiction to deal with matters consisting of the review of a decision of an animal ethics committee under Part 4 of the measure. Part 7—Animal Welfare Fund 58—Animal Welfare Fund This clause establishes the Animal Welfare Fund, and sets out the manner in which the Fund is to be applied and managed. Part 8—Miscellaneous 59—Registration of interstate orders This clause empowers the Minister to register an interstate order. The person the subject of the interstate order must be served notice of the registration and the notice must inform the person that registration of the order does not take effect until 14 days after the notice is served and that, from the time the registration takes effect, a contravention of the order in South Australia is an offence. 60—Arrangements for exchange of information etc This clause enables the Minister to enter into arrangements with a Minister responsible for the administration of a relevant law for the exchange of information or the exercise of powers under the measure for the purposes of the relevant law. 'Relevant law' is defined as an Act or law of this or another State, or a Territory, of the Commonwealth, relating to or affecting animal welfare or the control or management of animals, or providing for the enforcement of such Acts or laws, confiscation of proceeds or instruments of offences under such Acts or laws, or dealing with animals or things seized or forfeited under such Acts or laws. 61—Delegation This clause empowers the Minister to delegate functions and powers under the measure, other than a function or power prescribed by the regulations. 62—Exemptions This clause allows the Minister to exempt a specified person or a specified class of persons from the operation of a provision or provisions of the measure and sets out the notice requirements. It also allows the Minister to vary or revoke an exemption for any reason the Minister thinks fit and makes it an offence for a person to contravene a condition of an exemption. 63—Waiver, reduction or refund of fees This clause provides the Minister with the discretion to waive, reduce or refund a fee prescribed for the purposes of the measure. 64—False or misleading statements This clause creates an offence for a person to make false or misleading statements in information provided under this measure. 65—Power of veterinarians to destroy animals This clause empowers a veterinarian to destroy an animal if of the opinion that the condition of the animal is such that the animal should be destroyed. 66—Power to provide food etc to neglected animals This clause provides that, if a person believes on reasonable grounds that an animal has not been provided with adequate food or water over a period of 24 hours, the person may, with the authority of an authorised officer, enter premises for the purpose of providing the animal with food and water. 67—Service of notices and documents This clause sets out the options for service of notices and documents under the measure. 68—Proceedings for summary offences This clause sets out the time requirements for commencement of proceedings for an alleged summary offence against the measure. 69—Proceedings for indictable offences This clause provides that an indictable offence against this measure must be prosecuted and dealt with by the Magistrates Court as a summary offence. However, if the Court determines that a person found guilty of such an offence should be sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding 5 years, the Court must commit the person to the District Court for sentence. 70—Offences by bodies corporate This clause makes additional provisions in relation to a body corporate who may be found guilty of an offence. 71—Continuing offences This clause provides for the liability of a person who is convicted of an offence in respect of a continuing act or omission. 72—Vicarious liability of employers in certain circumstances This clause provides that, if a person commits an offence against this measure in the course of employment by another, the employer is guilty of an offence and liable to the same penalty as is prescribed for the principal offence unless it is proved that the employer could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence have prevented the commission of the principal offence. 73—Evidence This clause deals with various evidentiary matters to assist in the conduct of proceedings under the measure. The clause also incorporates section 83L of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. 74—Codes This clause requires that a copy of the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes be made available for inspection on or through a website determined by the Minister. It also provides that evidence of the contents of a code incorporated into or referred to in the measure may be given in legal proceedings by production of a copy of the code apparently certified to be a true copy. 75—Act does not render unlawful practices that are in accordance with prescribed code of practice This clause provides that the measure does not render unlawful anything done in accordance with a prescribed code of practice relating to animals. 76—Reports in respect of alleged contraventions If a person reports to an authorised officer an alleged contravention of this measure, this clause requires that the authorised officer must, at the request of the person, inform the person (if practicable) of any action proposed to be taken in respect of the allegation. This clause does not apply in relation to a report made under proposed section 13. 77—Victimisation This clause provides that a person commits an act of victimisation against another person if they cause detriment to the other person on the ground, or substantially on the ground, that the other person has disclosed or intends to disclose information, or has made or intends to make an allegation, that has given rise or could give rise to proceedings against the person under this measure. Any such act of victimisation may be dealt with as a tort or as if it were an act of victimisation under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. 78—Regulations and fee notices This clause provides power to make regulations and to prescribe fees by fee notice. 79—Review of Act This clause provides for a review of the operation of the measure to be undertaken after the measure has been in operation for a period of 5 years. Schedule 1—Related amendments and repeals Part 1—Amendment of Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 1—Amendment of section 20AA—Causing harm to, or assaulting, certain emergency workers etc 2—Repeal of Part 3C Part 2—Amendment of Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 3—Amendment of section 59D—Power to destroy dogs 4—Amendment of section 60—Power to seize and detain dogs 5—Amendment of section 63—Power to destroy cats 6—Amendment of section 64D—Notification to owner of dog or cat destroyed etc under Part These Parts make related amendments to the Acts specified consequential to the enactment of the measure. Part 3—Amendment of Sentencing Act 2017 7—Insertion of section 26A This clause inserts new section 26A into the Sentencing Act 2017 as follows: 26A—Additional orders for offences involving animals A court may, on finding a person guilty of an offence involving animals or on sentencing a person for an offence involving animals, make any order it thinks fit under section 51 of the proposed Animal Welfare Act 2024. Part 4—Amendment of Veterinary Services Act 2023 8—Amendment of section 50—Veterinary services must be provided at registered premises 9—Amendment of section 51—Offence to carry on certain businesses other than at registered premises These clauses make related amendments to the Veterinary Services Act 2023 consequential to the enactment of the measure. Part 5—Repeal of Animal Welfare Act 1985 10—Repeal of Act and regulations This clause repeals the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and all regulations under that Act. Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Cowdrey.