The Nationals WA have rejected the Animal Justice Party’s (AJP) push to establish an Independent Office of Animal Protection, describing the proposal as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
Nationals MLC Julie Freeman said the AJP motion, recently put forward in the Legislative Council, calls for the establishment of an Independent Office headed by a Chief Animal Protection Officer, and advised by an Animal Protection Advisory Committee.
“Let us be absolutely clear: The Nationals WA oppose this proposal,” Ms Freeman said.
“The AJP can dress this up in reassuring words like ‘independent’, ‘transparent’ and ‘accountable’, but Western Australians should look beyond the language and at the agenda behind it. Their own published policies make it clear where they stand – they want to abolish animal farming, racing, rodeos, pony rides and zoos.
“That is not a balanced approach to animal welfare; it is an ideological agenda completely disconnected from the realities of agriculture, regional communities and the industries that support thousands of Western Australian livelihoods.”
The AJP has avoided debating its Bill to establish the three institutions, opting instead to move a motion that calls on the Cook Labor Government to urgently establish the office and provide legislation, funding, and a timeline for implementation.
“A Bill could have been scrutinised clause by clause, allowing Parliament to properly examine exactly what powers this office would have, what safeguards would apply, what it would cost taxpayers and who would have a seat at the table. Instead, Parliament is being asked to endorse the concept before those fundamental questions have been answered,” Ms Freeman said.
Under the AJP’s proposed model, people with commercial animal-sector experience would be permanently excluded from becoming Chief Animal Protection Officer, while there is no equivalent exclusion for activists committed to ending industries involving animals.
“That tells you everything you need to know about their version of ‘independence’,” Ms Freeman said.
“They want to exclude people with practical, hands-on industry knowledge while leaving the door wide open to activists whose stated objective is to shut those industries down.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food and Racing and Gaming Lachlan Hunter MP said “The Nationals WA stand with our farmers, veterinarians, trainers, researchers, racing and recreation participants, small businesses and regional communities.
“We support strong animal welfare standards, credible science and effective enforcement, but we will not support the creation of an ideological bureaucracy designed by a party whose own policies seek to abolish lawful industries that sustain livelihoods and regional communities.
“The Nationals are not fooled. The language might be the sheep’s clothing, but the AJP’s own published agenda reveals the wolf beneath.”