Bill
62–The Animal Diseases Amendment Act
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River
Heights): We are now at third reading of this Animal
Diseases Amendment Act. We believe that biosecurity is important, and we've
seen in the pandemic the concerns that can exist from problems with
biosecurity. The virus, which was initially in an area of Wuhan–there were not
adequate measures taken, and it has spread globally and we have a major
pandemic.
Now, there are diseases in pigs and in other animals which can also spread and
cause havoc among animal populations and in some cases may spread to human populations.
So we see that biosecurity must be taken very seriously, and we will support
this bill.
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However, we do not agree with measures which appear to be suppressing the
ability of people to protest. Indeed, it has been raised with us that aspects
of this bill are probably unconstitutional because they limit rights of
peaceable assembly and that this bill is likely to be subject to the court
challenge and it is likely to be struck down.
In
the report stage, we moved amendments which would have sought to provide some
reassurance to those who are protestors and for those who are concerned about
what is happening with animal rights. And these measures would have reaffirmed
the ability of individuals to assemble peaceably in public locations, so long
as they're not disturbing the transportation of the animals. These
measures–these report stage amendments–would have allowed people to take
photographs of the truck and the transportation.
Both of these are reasonable and we believe that this bill should have been
changed to include these measures and that these measures might have helped
this bill to be seen to be more fair and more reasonable than it was and is
under the original design.
Mr. Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair
So,
while we have sought for changes and a compromise which would have meant that
those individuals who are concerned about the health of animals and to ensure
that they have rights and abilities to watch what's happening, there, of
course, also needs to be appropriate inspections and care. But there remains an
important issue of biosecurity. And because the biosecurity issue is of such
importance at this juncture, as we're seeing with the pandemic, then we will
support this legislation and vote yes.
Thank you, merci, miigwech.
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