Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Milne for her ongoing concerns around animal welfare issues in New South Wales. Unequivocally, can I say that I am concerned by the unacceptable images broadcast by the ABC's Lateline program on 20 March of the mistreatment of turkeys at Ingham's turkey abattoir in Tahmoor, south-west of Sydney.

The Australian government does not condone the mistreatment of animals. The welfare of turkeys at this plant is overseen by the New South Wales government Food Authority. This footage was clearly unacceptable and I will be raising it with the New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, because incidents of cruelty detected are actionable under the New South Wales Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the matter, as I understand it—and I think that Senator Milne also understands it—is under investigation by the New South Wales Police.

I always say in these instances that it is best left to the authorities to investigate these matters and to bring those who have allegations of mistreatment against them to the authority's attention so that they can be fully investigated. I always then add that it is not a matter for me to trample over that investigation, but I do think, like Senator Milne, that it was completely unacceptable vision that was portrayed of animal cruelty. I do not think that I can add too much more at this point. I can take on notice and get back to Senator Milne what the New South Wales government may say about this. It is well known that the New South Wales government and states and territories deal with animal welfare directly for domestic purposes. (Time expired)