Animal welfare protection measures in the Northern Territory are to be strengthened with todays passing of the Animal Protection Bill.
Key changes delivered in the Animal Protection Bill include:
increasing penalties for animal cruelty offences, including for failing to provide an adequate level of care;
the power to prescribe and enforce codes of practice and standards relevant to animal welfare;
the ability to issue animal welfare directions and improvement notices to those who provide inadequate care to animals, with penalties for those who do not comply;
registering scientific users of animals for scientific purposes, rather than the current practice of licensing premises;
providing accredited animal ethics committees with increased oversight for research projects they approve;
respecting the rights of Aboriginal Territorians to undertake cultural, hunting and fishing practices in compliance with Aboriginal traditional law and custom; and
broadening the existing definition of animal to cover bony fish, sharks and rays, crustaceans and cephalopods (squid and octopi).
The Territory Labor Government has also provided a grant to the Amateur Fishermans Association of the NT (AFANT) to develop a code of practice (the Code) to specifically cover recreational fishing activities undertaken in the Territory. Once finalised and adopted under the regulations, fishing in accordance with the Code will be a complete defence under this legislation.
These changes to the Animal Protection Bill will help safeguard the welfare of our animals, and help animal industries and recreational fishers protect their social licence, ensuring community support remains for these activities.
Development of the Bill has taken place over a number of years and included extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders including the RSPCA, AFANT, Northern Territory Cattlemens Association, Northern Land Council, NT Seafood Council, Charles Darwin Universitys Animal Ethics Committee, NT livestock Export Association, Australian Veterinary Association NT Branch, Thoroughbred Racing NT and NT Pig Dogging and Hunting Association. It was also sent to the Scrutiny Committee.
As stated by Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles:
We have listened to the community, and the new Animal Protection Bill delivers clearer legislation and tougher penalties for cruelty to animals.
We have increased the maximum jail term from two years to five, and the maximum fine from $31,000 to $77,500.
Also, a person convicted of multiple animal welfare offences can now be banned from being in control of an animal for a period of five years. This is a new offence for the Territory.
This modernised legislation better protects all our animals, and promotes community awareness about the care and welfare of animals.
