Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill 2022
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Vote on a motion
The motion was agreed to.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (30)
Referred to State Development and Regional Industries Committee
▸21 members spoke6 support1 oppose14 mixed
As the responsible Minister, strongly defended the bill against opposition criticism, emphasising it addresses animal welfare concerns including banning inhumane practices like CSSP pig poison and prong collars, while supporting lay pregnancy testing for the cattle industry.
“This bill: creates a new offence of breach of duty of care causing death, serious deformity, serious disablement or prolonged suffering of an animal with a maximum penalty of up to 2,000 penalty units or three years imprisonment; allows for the ethical use of animals for scientific purposes while protecting animal welfare.”— 2022-12-02View Hansard
Continued speaking in support of the bill, highlighting the Martin inquiry recommendations for monitoring livestock slaughter facilities and RSPCA oversight improvements.
“This bill amends the Animal Care and Protection Act to address the central issues that arose from those reviews.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
As Minister, moved the second reading and strongly advocated for the bill, emphasising it reflects community expectations on animal welfare including banning prong collars, CSSP poison and firing/blistering of horses.
“This legislation should reflect that passion and that level of care, not out of some ideological position but as a reflection of who we are as a community.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard
Raised concerns about the CSSP pig poison ban given biosecurity threats and supported lay pregnancy testing for the cattle industry.
“The cattle industry has been calling for a proper regulatory framework to allow lay pregnancy testing for some years.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Broadly supportive of most intentions but strongly opposed specific measures including the CSSP pig poison ban and raised concerns about prong collar ban, lack of consultation, and unintended consequences for agricultural industries.
“Let me make it very clear that the LNP will not support this measure. Queensland currently faces one of the largest biosecurity threats in modern history. All options need to be on the table as we fight to protect our agricultural industries.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, particularly the provisions around firing and blistering of horses and the exemptions for working dogs.
“The damage caused by firing or blistering is a result of the intention and, therefore, I am very satisfied with the wording of the bill.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
As committee chair, strongly supported the bill particularly the bans on prong collars and CSSP poison, citing evidence of harm from prong collars and supporting implementation of QAO recommendations.
“I commend the minister and department for dealing with a complex range of issues in a very sensitive and comprehensive manner.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard
As a medical doctor, raised concerns about specific provisions while supporting the overall intent of animal welfare improvements.
“Animal welfare is an important issue for our community.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Filed a statement of reservation opposing the prong collar ban and CSSP ban, arguing prong collars provide clear communication and farmers need all tools available for feral pig control amid biosecurity threats.
“I encourage the minister to see an additional class of trainer included in that exemption.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard
Raised concerns about provisions affecting regional communities and primary producers, particularly the CSSP ban and its impact on feral pig control.
“Our farmers need all the tools available to manage feral pests.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, outlining its objectives to modernise animal welfare laws and implement recommendations from the Martin inquiry and Queensland Audit Office.
“For many Queenslanders, animals are members of our families; are integral to agricultural production; are involved in sport and recreational activities; and provide valuable assistance to individuals and services in quarantine, detection and inspection.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard
Expressed concerns about the CSSP poison ban and its impact on feral pig management in regional Queensland.
“We need to ensure landholders have every tool available to manage the feral pig threat.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised concerns about the CSSP ban and prong collar provisions while broadly supporting animal welfare improvements.
“The biosecurity threat from feral pigs is real and we need effective management tools.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised questions about the prong collar ban while supporting animal welfare in principle.
“We need evidence-based policy when it comes to animal welfare.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised concerns about the CSSP ban and its impact on feral pig control, particularly given biosecurity threats.
“It is widely accepted that poison baiting is one of the most economical and effective ways to control feral pigs on a broad scale.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised concerns about the prong collar ban, arguing these devices can be used safely by trained professionals.
“Professional dog trainers should be able to use these tools effectively.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Strongly opposed the CSSP ban and prong collar provisions, arguing these measures fail to consider rural and regional realities.
“These city-centric policies do not reflect the realities faced by people in rural Queensland.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Filed a statement of reservation on prong collars and CSSP, but did not oppose the bill overall.
“There should be exemptions for trained users of prong collars.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised concerns about specific provisions while supporting the overall animal welfare objectives.
“We need to balance animal welfare with practical considerations for our primary industries.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Raised concerns about the CSSP ban from a rural Queensland perspective while supporting animal welfare in principle.
“Our producers need effective tools to manage feral pests.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
Spoke on animal welfare concerns while raising questions about specific provisions.
“Animal welfare is important to all Queenslanders.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on an amendment to a motion, likely procedural. The amendment was agreed to with 48 ayes and 33 noes.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (33)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
Vote on the amended motion following the previous division. Passed with 48 ayes and 33 noes.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (33)
That the long title of the bill be agreed to
Party VoteFinal procedural vote to agree to the bill's long title, following the third reading. The vote was resolved in the affirmative under standing order 106(10).
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill updates Queensland's animal welfare laws following a comprehensive review of the 20-year-old Animal Care and Protection Act. It bans inhumane practices like prong collars and horse firing, introduces tougher penalties for serious animal neglect, requires dogs to be secured when transported on vehicle trays, and implements recommendations to better track retired racehorses and improve RSPCA inspector oversight.
Who it affects
Pet owners must secure dogs on ute trays and cannot possess prong collars. The racing industry faces new reporting requirements for retired horses. Cattle producers gain access to accredited non-veterinarians for spaying and pregnancy testing.
Key changes
- Bans prong collars, firing and blistering of horses and dogs, harmful wildlife netting, and CSSP Pig Poison
- Creates an aggravated duty of care offence for serious neglect causing death or prolonged suffering (up to 3 years imprisonment)
- Requires dogs to be secured when transported on vehicle trays or trailers, with exemptions for working dogs
- Mandates CCTV at horse slaughter facilities and advance notification of horse arrivals to track rehoming efforts
- Allows accredited laypersons to perform cattle spaying and pregnancy testing, reducing costs for remote producers
- Gives the chief executive power to suspend or cancel RSPCA inspector appointments and access investigation documents
- Protects vets from liability when euthanasing suffering animals whose owners cannot be found