Today the 2015 National Labor Party conference kicks off, Australia’s largest political gathering, playing an important role in defining the priorities and the future of the party.
Nicola Beynon, Head of Campaigns for World Animal Protection, and legal expert Jed Goodfellow will be presenting at a conference Fringe event to raise awareness of the need for new national frameworks for animal welfare.
Animals need leadership at a national level
World Animal Protection is advocating for an Independent Office of Animal Welfare to bring together industry, animal welfare advocates and experts, as well as state and national governments to proactively better manage and progress animal welfare. In doing so the Office would help reduce business risk, harmonise legislation nationally and facilitate a more proactive approach to animal welfare.
Industry groups have lamented the lack of animal welfare frameworks currently in place in Australia. Chief Executive of the Australia Farm Institute, Mick Keogh referred to the system being "disjointed and fragmented" with "standards set state by state and by private organisations such as supermarkets".
Good for animals, good for business
It’s clear re-establishing frameworks for animal welfare would not just help animals, it would also support industry needs.
"Nationally consistent regulation is vital to reducing the regulatory burden for businesses operating across state boundaries", said legal expert Jed Goodfellow. "Australia’s animal welfare laws are inconsistent and patchy. What is an enforceable standard in one state is simply a voluntary guideline in another. Harmonisation is desperately required to ensure national consistency. An independent office of animal welfare would greatly facilitate this process.
"Policy ‘on the run’ creates uncertainty for business and reduces investment. Australia’s current approach to animal welfare policy is to deal with disasters and scandals as they occur. This has the potential to cripple entire industries. Australia must be proactive on animal welfare and develop a long-term, principled strategy underpinned by science to address potential animal welfare issues before they become national headlines. An independent office of animal welfare could provide the national leadership required for this to occur."
Simon O’Connor, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association backs this view. "Animal welfare is an ethical issue but is also an issue for business and investors. In the same way good practices in human rights result in stronger businesses, similar links are ever more apparent between strong animal welfare practices being simply good business, and those businesses making better investment opportunities.
“Whether it’s the management of farm animals in the food supply chain or the treatment of animals for live export, investors have observed both the business advantages of good practices and the great downside risk of poor practices. Investors are increasingly looking for good animal welfare practices as part of good supply chain management, and strong standards and enforcement help to deliver this.”
Working together to protect animals from cruelty
We’re looking forward to presenting all the benefits an Independent Office of Animal Welfare would bring to Australia at the National Labor Conference tomorrow and are delighted to see support for this currently within their draft policy platform. We hope the Conference ratifies the policy this weekend.
