Australia takes a step forward on animal welfare 

Humane Society International (HSI) Australia has welcomed the National Animal Welfare Statement signed by federal, state and territory governments and released on Friday 13 December. 

Through the Statement, governments are committing to a shared vision where Australia achieves good animal welfare outcomes through the development and adoption of animal welfare practices and standards that are underpinned by science and evidence. The Statement complements the National Animal Welfare Strategy which the Albanese Government is also coordinating.  

HSI Australia Head of Campaigns Nicola Beynon says: “Achieving good animal welfare through evidence-based practices and standards is a vision HSI Australia is pleased to share. We look forward to governments immediately putting this into practice. 

“Australia’s frameworks for animal welfare have been notoriously dysfunctional. It is encouraging to see governments commit to the foundations for a better system and we commend Agriculture Minister Julie Collins MP and the Albanese Government for restoring a leadership role for the Commonwealth in animal welfare policy. 

The statement commits to governance arrangements to oversee implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, something HSI Australia supports. 

“We have long recommended the establishment of a National Commission for Animal Welfare for this purpose, and we hope this is now under consideration,” Beynon said. 

The statement also commits to the implementation of national standards and rapid adoption by all jurisdictions.  

“To turn words into action we expect all state governments to rapidly adopt the poultry standards which were nationally agreed to in July 2023 and include a phase out of conventional battery cages for layer hens. So far only the West Australian government has enacted the battery cage phase out. 

“The National Statement for Animal Welfare must mark a turning point from past dysfunction where governments take years to agree to updated national standards, and then drag their feet to implement them, prolonging unnecessary animal suffering in many instances.  

“HSI Australia stands ready to assist and support governments towards the better future for animals they have outlined”.