Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
566. Hon Amanda Dornto theMinister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the disbanding of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, which previously served as an independent advisory body under the Animal Welfare Act.
(1) On what date was the committee formally disbanded, and what was the rationale for this decision?
(2) Who is currently providing the minister with expert independent advice on animal welfare matters in the absence of this committee?
(3) Will the minister commit to establishing a new, transparent and truly independent advisory council with the authority to provide proactive advice on animal welfare issues?
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:
(1)–(3) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is currently a non-statutory body created in February 2022. This committee has not been disbanded although I note that the current member's terms have expired. Recommendation 46 of an independent review of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 recommended that a new statutory committee should be formed. This recommendation is supported and will be included in a bill to update the Animal Welfare Act to be introduced in this term of government. Given the proposed transition of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee from a non-statutory body to a committee enshrined in law, I am awaiting advice on the skill set required and the proposed terms of reference of a new committee, giving consideration to the independent review panel's recommendation 47 that outlines the proposed role of such a committee. We will advertise soon for expressions of interest to join the committee.
