Dear Readers, now is the time to take action. Please read the email below from Emma Hurst MP.
The photo shows some of the awful things I witnessed when we lived next door to Camp Kitty, poor little kittens dying and shrivelling up in the sun. When Senior Inspector Txxx Cxxxxx came to inspect all he could say was `how did I know the cat was dead? There will be more dreadful photos in following updates. The RSPCA NSW were telling me that `there were no welfare issues’. Let’s do all we can to stop this from continuing. In my opinion I suspect the RSPCA NSW are not fit to be Enforcers, and I suspect the Hon Marshall is not fit to be the Administrator of the RSPCA NSW.
On Monday, 23 August 2021, 03:31:22 pm ACST, Emma Hurst MP <emma.hurst@parliament.nsw.gov.au> wrote:
Minister Marshall has released his draft proposed animal “welfare” action plan.
Emma Hurst MP
Dear keith
I know it isn’t ideal to be reaching out for your time right now– but while the country is stressed and distracted with COVID-19, the Agriculture Minister is quietly pushing forward with some potentially devastating legislative changes for animals.
I need your help. Animals need your help.
Minister Marshall has just released a discussion paper on his proposed animal “welfare” action plan. The plan proposes moving much of the existing animal protection legislation into regulation. This means the Minister will have the power to cut and change what is considered cruelty to animals to whatever he pleases with practically no oversight or input from other parties elected into Parliament. In fact, he wouldn’t even need his own party to agree to whatever he wishes to add or subtract!
This Minister hardly has a good track record for improving animal protections and now he wants to award himself these far reaching powers. All I can say is HELL NO!
His other proposed changes include:
Diminishing oversight of backyard breeders
Watering down interim animal bans on abusers deemed likely to re-offend
Allowing animal cruelty to farmed and introduced animals
Rejecting proper enforcement of cruelty laws through an Independent Office of Animal Protection
I can’t tell you how nervous I am about this. But if we make enough noise, he may not follow through with this disastrous plan - submissions for the Animal Welfare Action Plan are now open. Voice your opinion BEFORE 3 September 2021 by emailing animalwelfare.submissions@dpi.nsw.gov.au or fill out their survey HERE.
When you make your submission, you might also like to highlight the other issues the Minister has failed to address in his discussion paper, including a ban on the use of animals in circuses, an end to puppy farming, and any other issue you are passionate about. There is no right or wrong way to add your voice – short or long, every submission counts.
This latest anti-animal move is evidence that the Agriculture Minister cannot be in charge of animal protection. It is a conflict of interest that simply cannot be allowed to continue. The audacity of the Minister to want animal protection legislation under his full control without proper Parliamentary oversight is not only ludicrous- it is terrifying for anyone in the community who cares about animals.
We can’t let this happen – it could undo so much of the protection work we are doing – and the potential ramifications for animals are unthinkable. Making a submission is something we can all do to make a difference. Email ASAP – submissions close 3 September 2021: animalwelfare.submissions@dpi.nsw.gov.au (remember a submission can be framed any way you like- there is no right or wrong way to add your voice).
Together we can put Minister Marshall on notice and let him know the community wants a real action plan for reform that improves animal protection, not a plan that leaves animals even more vulnerable than they already are.
I know I am asking a lot during this already difficult time- but even a very short email could help make all the difference for animals. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your compassion- now and always. Let’s stop this disastrous plan in its tracks!