Dear Supporters

Those of you who live in New South Wales most likely will have signed my petition to the NSW Parliament, asking for an end to the cruelty of rodeos.  

The petition was lodged on 16 November 2023, and the Minister, the Hon. Tara Moriarty, has provided a response here: Minister's petition response. 

This response fails to address the points raised in the petition, presumably because no sufficient argument can justify the cruel abuse of animals that rodeos involve.

Specifically, the Minister says that rodeos must comply with the provisions of the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.  She fails to mention that a regulation under that Act specifically exempts rodeos from key provisions.  In other words, if you or I released a calf into an enclosure, then chased it down, roped it, pulled it to the ground and tied its legs, we would be guilty of animal cruelty.  But that is exactly what is done at rodeos, and they are ALLOWED to do it by means of the EXEMPTION they have under the law.  

Just look at the picture above.  The calf in that photo, courtesy of Animal Liberation Queensland, has been subject to behaviour that is defined as cruel in NSW law, but is ALLOWED AT RODEOS because of their exemption from this part of the law.

The Minister has committed to reviewing the principal legislation to protect animals in NSW, but has given no timeline.  She refers to community expectations, so please contact her here: Minister Tara Moriarty

to let her know the community expects that:

• the review of the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 must begin immediately; and
• the review of the Act must include ending the exemption for the cruelty practised at rodeos.  

Thank you for your help.