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Labor shifts dog responsibility to local councilsThe Bracks Government’s new domestic animal legislation fails to address responsible pet ownership and will result in further cost-shifting to local government. By Philip Davis - 7th October 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said the Liberal Party will continue to oppose Labor’s band-aid Primary Industries Acts (Further Amendments) Bill when it is further debated in Parliament.
Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron previously claimed in Parliament that he had consulted with local councils while drafting this Bill, but today he admitted in a media release that in fact he had not.
Councils around Victoria had no idea about this legislation until it was introduced in Parliament on 7 September 2005.
"It is for this reason that the Liberal Party is opposing this Bill," Mr Davis said.
"This legislation will place new administrative and financial pressures on local government.
"Rather than addressing the problem of irresponsible pet ownership in this state, the Bracks Government has opted to shift all responsibility to local government.
"In doing this, Labor is simply expecting councils to foot the bill for the implementation of these new laws, education programs and campaigns – effectively washing its hands of all responsibility for domestic animals in Victoria.
"The Liberal Party will move a reasoned amendment, requesting the Bill be withdrawn and re-drafted after consultation with key stakeholders including the Municipal Association of Victoria and individual councils."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party was dissatisfied with the level of consultation conducted by the Bracks Government on this issue and for that reason, could not support the Bill.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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