ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:49): I rise today to set the record straight in relation to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). It is my understanding that the RSPCA feels its reputation has been severely maligned by a number of members in the other place this week. Specifically, contributions made by the members for Hammond, Stuart, Chaffey, Bragg, MacKillop, Schubert and Morphett all referred to the failed prosecution in the Brinkworth case to either say outright or imply that the RSPCA is somehow incompetent. Speech after speech alleged that the RSPCA is not equipped, skilled or experienced in handling prosecutions in relation to livestock, in support of the society being stripped of this role. The RSPCA feels, quite rightly, that this is absolutely incorrect and not based on factual evidence.

The RSPCA has been investigating and enforcing laws relating to livestock since animal welfare laws first came into being in 1908. In this time, they have undertaken countless investigations, and I say 'countless' advisedly, as the statistics for those early years are simply not available. However, in more recent times, comprehensive records are available and indicate, in fact, that the RSPCA does a very good job, despite the unfounded allegations and misrepresentations by members in the other place.

To give you an idea of the current workload over the past two years, from May 2010 to May 2012, the RSPCA received 1,535 complaints about livestock. The RSPCA subsequently investigated 1,535 complaints about livestock; in other words, they investigated every single complaint they received. The RSPCA makes a point wherever possible of looking to educate livestock owners, rather than resorting to prosecutions, and that is as it should be. Prosecutions should be and are the last resort, and they are undertaken when there is a good likelihood of success.

In this recent two-year period, the RSPCA initiated 17 prosecutions. Of these prosecutions undertaken, fully 16 were successful—a 94 per cent success rate. The society was forced to discontinue only one—that being the Brinkworth case—through extraordinary circumstances which can now never be repeated. Comparing this success rate with other prosecuting entities, it highlights that, in fact, the RSPCA is extremely efficient and effective in doing what it does, that is, to safeguard the welfare of all creatures great and small, without fear or favour.

I urge all members to carefully scrutinise the information they would have received from the RSPCA in these recent weeks. If members have any questions about the role of the RSPCA, the efficiency of the RSPCA or the rationale behind why it is so important for the society to retain the key role of investigating—and, where necessary, prosecuting—cases of animal cruelty against livestock, I urge them to contact the RSPCA and, in particular, the chief executive, Mr Neale Sutton, who I am sure will relish the opportunity to set the record straight, as I have done today.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Mr President, I draw your attention to the state of the council.

A quorum having been formed: