Andrew Broad (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to talk about dogs. This week, on Tuesday, 26 August, it was National Dog Day. We must be very proud of our dogs. Our dogs keep our borders secure. They look and investigate drug traffickers and terrorist threats. They help our farmers shift their livestock. Great Australian working dogs are famous for their intellect when working with cattle and sheep. They are also very important as companions. Many elderly and senior Australians have dogs that are their companions. I have been involved in the livestock industry and I would not be in this place if it were not for my dog, Duke. In fact, I am sure that my dog, whilst following me around the farm, looked at me and said, 'Stop complaining about how the country is being run and do something about it.' If we had a Productivity Commission report into the value of dogs when it comes to biosecurity, defence, assistance in agriculture and supporting our senior Australians, we would find the value of dogs to be in the billions of dollars. Australians love their pets; they look after them. We should recognise and celebrate National Dog Day this week and be proud of the contribution that animals make to our lives.