PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.M.A. Lensink (resumed on motion).

(Continued from page 1317.)

The Hon. A.L. EVANS (19:49): I rise to support the motion. Family First gives animal welfare a very high priority, but we join with the Liberals and the Hon. Ann Bressington in expressing serious concern about the way in which these particular regulations regarding rodeos have been implemented. Because it takes this issue seriously, Family First has obtained briefings from the department, the RSPCA and the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, as well as receiving numerous individual submissions.

Family First is keenly aware that we owe as a society a duty of care to animals in our keep. We are just as aware that many country organisations, charities and communities rely on rodeos for their survival. Small communities in places such as Carrieton and Marrabel have rodeos as their one and only major annual event. Profits go to organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Before we reach the emotional arguments regarding rodeos, however, the plain fact is that these regulations are a mess.

As is often the case with this government, there is no real community consultation. In fact, I heard one complaint that the minister sent out a press release regarding the ban before she even consulted with the peak rodeo organisation. I note that the minister disputes that, but this is a complaint that our office has heard. It is no wonder that the regulations are a mess.

Under the regulations, roping of calves over 200 kilograms is banned. This weight was not decided or recommended by the RSPCA: it was decided internally by the department. Our discussions with the RSPCA indicate that they wanted the regulations to ban calf roping. The minister was in a bind because she had previously agreed with the association's code of practice (which allows calf roping) as acceptable.

The minister has tried to get around that impasse by banning roping of calves weighing more than 200 kilograms, knowing full well that calves do not usually weigh any more than that, anyway. Calves get up to about 200 kilograms, steers about 300 kilograms and bulls about 700 kilograms. This is a nonsense regulation, and if the minister wants to ban calf roping, then Family First believes that she should try to do it openly and not through the back door, so that there can be proper debate on the issue.

In the past 10 years, there are 7,774 calf runs nationally and there were two recorded injuries to calves. I initially shared the scepticism of the Hon. Mark Parnell, who was concerned that these are industry figures. Subsequently, I had discussions with the RSPCA, which concurs that physical injuries to calves are very rare—and the figure was generally confirmed. In fact, I was told by the RSPCA that there was 'no science' to justify this regulation on the basis of physical injury to the animal. Apart from the situation existing in Victoria, nationally the accepted weight for calves participating in this event is 100 kilograms. We have a letter from a leading veterinary consultant, Ivan Caple, who advises that 115 kilograms is probably the ideal safest roping weight—any heavier and the calves risk injury.

I am inclined to accept the submissions of the rodeo association, which argues that, if we are able to find a calf over 200 kilograms, then, given their weight, they would be more susceptible to injury than lighter animals. Apart from the fact that these regulations did not go through the proper community consultation process and do not make sense, the fact is that they may increase harm to the animals involved. Therefore, Family First supports the motion for disallowance.

Debate adjourned on motion of the Hon. I.K. Hunter.