The discussion paper on Victoria’s proposed new “Animal Care and Protection Laws” is cause for concern to hunters and other consumptive users of animals.
The move to new laws is driven by an ‘Animal Rights’ agenda that ultimately wants to give animals the same legal rights as humans. The animal rights movement has grown in influence over the past fifty years and shows no sign of stopping. Animal rights and animal welfare are very different beasts – as hunters, we have a deep interest in animal welfare, but we cannot submit to the extremist animal rights agenda.
SSAA Victoria is urging hunters to email their local MPs to ensure our concerns are properly understood. CLICK HERE to email your MP. It takes less than a minute.
The changing world that we live in
The sorts of statements being made by major party MPs today were unimaginable just a decade ago:
“I am proud of the Andrews Government’s strong animal rights agenda, including the imminent introduction of a brand new Animal Welfare Act. That said, there is always more to do. Personally, I am opposed to duck shooting in Victoria and support a review of the government’s position on this matter.” Will Fowles, Labor, Member for Burwood.
“For three months each year, duck hunters, who represent half of 1 per cent of Victorians, kill and bag up to 10 ducks per day. Though hunters are required to carry out ducks killed, hundreds of birds, including endangered species supposedly protected from being shot, are found dead during the season. Victoria’s natural environment and wildlife are unique parts of this state’s identity, and a modern Liberal Party must speak out on behalf of the promotion and preservation of them.” James Newbury, Liberal, Member for Brighton, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.
The danger of enabling animal rights activists to engage in ‘lawfare’
Lawfare is the use of the legal system to damage or delegitimise an opponent or to deter an individual’s usage of their legal rights.
A clear example of what could happen with the Animal Welfare Act is the Supreme Court challenge currently underway, with Environment Victoria challenging an EPA decision on licence conditions for Latrobe Valley power stations. Effectively, the challenge is being raised on the grounds that the EPA did not consider climate change in reaching its decision, as required in the Climate Change Act. The requirements in the proposed new Animal Welfare Act could lead to the same situation for hunting, fishing, farming and potentially any other area that involves animals in any way.
What comes next
Victoria’s key hunting organisations, SSAA Victoria, the Australian Bowhunters Association, the Australian Deer Association, Field & Game Australia and Victorian Hound Hunters, made a combined submission when these new laws were first mooted and have again shown a united front to government with a joint submission on the plan, outlining the concerns of hunters.
The associations will continue to lobby the government and the opposition on this issue in the lead-up to and following November’s State Election. Hunters will have more opportunities for involvement in this ongoing campaign. You can aid these efforts by emailing your local MP.
CLICK HERE to send your email now.
A draft bill will be released for public feedback in 2023.
