The McGowan Government will bring together a highly skilled and independent panel to oversee a public review of the operation and effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
The review will provide the legal framework for modernising the administration of animal welfare laws in Western Australia, in line with community standards.
The independent review panel will be chaired by eminent Western Australian barrister and regulatory law specialist, Linda Black who has professional experience in animal welfare.
Other panel members are Dr Dominique Blache, Dr Dianne Evans, Catherine Marriott and Dr David Marshall, who provide senior veterinary, animal welfare and industry experience.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will support the review and provide and source legal, scientific, compliance and policy expertise to the panel.
To support the work of the panel, Murdoch University's School of Veterinary and Life Sciences is carrying out an independent comparison of animal welfare laws and policies in selected Australian and overseas jurisdictions.
Links to the full Animal Welfare Act 2002 and related information are available from the department's website.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"An effective and modern animal welfare system is absolutely critical to ongoing community support for our livestock industries, and a wide variety of views must shape the evaluation of this highly complex matter.
"It is also important to update welfare standards for companion animals.
"The independent panel will be well placed to deliver on this important task and I'm confident Linda Black's expertise and commitment will be invaluable in guiding the transparent review process.
"The review will involve extensive stakeholder and community engagement, and will report back to Government in 12 months.
"It is vital the Act is effective and enforceable, leading to modern animal welfare outcomes supported by a reliable compliance system."
