Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill 2022

As the minister responsible, defended the bill in his reply speech, rebutting opposition criticisms about the CSSP ban, prong collar ban, and consultation process, emphasising the bill modernises animal welfare laws in line with community expectations and industry support.

“It is the same old LNP—too angry to see the truth, too lazy to do the work, and too out of touch to support an industry that is the lifeblood of rural and regional Queensland.”— 2022-12-02View Hansard

Continued his contribution from the previous sitting, outlining the key amendments including the new aggravated duty of care offence, RSPCA oversight reforms, and lay pregnancy testing framework. Commended the bill to the House.

“This legislation seeks to modernise animal welfare legislation in Queensland to 'reflect changes in contemporary science and community expectations'.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

As the minister introducing the bill, outlined the key reforms including tougher penalties for animal neglect, banning prong collars and CSSP pig poison, new accreditation schemes for cattle procedures, and implementation of QAO and Martin inquiry recommendations.

“The introduction of an aggravated breach of duty of care offence, intended for circumstances where an animal has died or suffered prolonged suffering as a result of a person's failure to fulfil their duty of care.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard

Although broadly supportive of the bill, strongly opposed clause 16 banning CSSP pig poison, arguing there is no equivalent alternative available for primary producers and the ban could harm biosecurity efforts against foot-and-mouth disease. Also raised concerns about the reverse onus of proof for producers in extreme weather and the lack of clarity on restraint devices.

“At the outset I want to make it clear: although broadly supportive of the bill, the LNP will be opposing clause 16 with regard to section 42 that sets out the ban on the use of yellow phosphorous CSSP feral pig poison.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Broadly supportive of most intentions in the bill but strongly opposed the ban on CSSP pig poison, raised concerns about the prong collar ban citing lack of evidence and consultation, and warned of unintended consequences for biosecurity and veterinary practice viability.

“While I and the LNP are broadly supportive of most intentions in this bill, we must remember that good intentions do not always deliver the right outcomes.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, congratulating the minister and department on the review. Addressed opposition concerns about the aggravated duty of care offence by pointing to existing exemptions in the act for natural disaster situations, and defended the forward-thinking approach to regulating restraint devices.

“In no way is this government going to expect people to put their own lives at risk for the health, safety and wellbeing of animals. We understand how much they need and care for those animals.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill including the bans on prong collars and CSSP pig poison, citing peer-reviewed evidence of harm from prong collars and the availability of more humane alternatives to CSSP. Commended the implementation of QAO recommendations.

“Quite simply, it is not needed.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard

Stated his unequivocal stance against animal cruelty and support for genuine animal protection measures, but criticised the government's substandard consultation processes, noting that industry stakeholders only learned of the legislation through the Premier's Facebook page and that many concerns were not meaningfully addressed.

“I once again reiterate my firm support for genuine measures which seek to ensure not only the protection of animals but also the prevention of animal cruelty.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Filed a statement of reservation on the bill. Opposed the outright ban on prong collars, arguing they provide clear communication between handler and dog, and urged the minister to allow trained users an exemption. Opposed the CSSP ban, arguing farmers need all available tools for feral pig control amid biosecurity threats.

“I would much rather have a dog under control in a public setting and no-one getting hurt than that dog being out of control and somebody accidentally being bitten.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting changing community attitudes towards animal welfare and the importance of banning prong collars. Supported the prohibition of CSSP poison and the ban on firing and blistering of horses.

“Clearly, the time has come to stop being medieval to our animals.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke in support of the bill, outlining its objectives including modernising animal welfare laws, implementing the Martin inquiry and QAO recommendations, and strengthening enforcement powers.

“I am pleased to rise to speak in support of the Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill 2022.”— 2022-11-30View Hansard

Raised concerns about the bill's amendments to the definition of scientific purposes, arguing they would facilitate expanded use of genetic engineering and cloning of animals with inadequate oversight. Also criticised the lack of independent inspection of animal research facilities and called for more funding to control feral pigs.

“My concern is the bill's amendment to the definition of 'scientific uses' or 'purposes' in the bill has been done to specifically facilitate the expanded use of genetic engineering and cloning of animals in Queensland.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the duty of care that comes with animal ownership. Supported the strengthened penalties, enhanced inspector powers for adverse weather conditions, RSPCA oversight reforms, and the ban on prong collars.

“It has always been my belief that owning a pet or any animal comes with a duty of care and an immense responsibility.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill as building on the groundbreaking work of the Beattie Labor government's original 2001 act. Cited horrific animal cruelty cases to justify the need for tougher penalties and commended the minister's personal passion for the reforms.

“This bill makes sure that legislation can keep pace with contemporary animal welfare standards and community expectations, which means better animal welfare in Queensland.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Supported some aspects of the bill including the new aggravated duty of care offence and lay pregnancy testing framework, but opposed the ban on prong collars and CSSP pig poison. Raised concerns about the RSPCA's role as a third-party enforcement body with ideological positions against hunting and live exports. Announced KAP would move amendments for a moratorium on the CSSP ban.

“We basically have a third-party police force—that is, the RSPCA—that has the ability and the blessing of government to go out there and enforce the law and also prosecute.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard

Noted the LNP does not oppose the bill but raised concerns about the CSSP ban as removing the most cost-effective feral pig poison without adequate consultation with AgForce, the prong collar provisions being introduced without formal consultation, and the reverse onus of proof on primary producers under the aggravated duty of care offence.

“If you love national parks and you love our native wildlife, you should be able to come to a position where you support the use of the most cost-effective and efficient measures to reduce, if not eliminate, this scourge of feral pigs in our state.”— 2022-12-01View Hansard