Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday this House delivered on another Albanese Labor government election commitment and passed legislation strengthening the role of the Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports. Importantly, under the legislation the office of inspector-general will clearly be independent. It will have new powers and functions to monitor, investigate and report on animal welfare and live animal exports. Live export cruelty has been a matter of extensive public outcry for decades, with numerous inquiries and media reports exposing cases of horrific animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is not confined to live exports and has been found in horse and greyhound racing; in puppy, pig and poultry farms; and even in animal shelters. Those areas are primarily the responsibility of state and local governments, but they do need to be addressed.

Consistent with their approach of saying no to everything, the coalition did not support this legislation, which, importantly, ensures compliance with reasonable standards by providing greater transparency and accountability for live exports. The Albanese government is progressively and responsibly delivering on better animal welfare outcomes. The enhanced role of the inspector-general is a welcome step in responding to community expectations of ending unacceptable animal cruelty in the live export sector.