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City-centric RSPCA has gone to the dogs: Ingram

The RSPCA has been condemned in State Parliament for its action in closing its East Gippsland branch this week.

By Craig Ingram - 4th May 2005 - Back to News

Gippsland East Independent MP, Craig Ingram, told Parliament this week that the local RSPCA committee was sacked after raising concerns in relation to the proposed East Gippsland shelter, which was to be built in Bairnsdale.

Mr Ingram questioned what the RSPCA had done with $1.1 million State Government funding that was supposed to be used for construction of the shelter.

"What has the RSPCA done with this money along with $80,000 raised by the East Gippsland community," Mr Ingram said.

"RSCPA president, Hugh Wirth, refused to discuss the matters raised with the local committee, except to say that an East Gippsland shelter would not be built.

"He read from a prepared statement which sacked the committee and disbanded the East Gippsland branch forthwith.

"The RSPCA has readily taken $80,000 from the local community on a promise that it does not intend to keep.

"I am sure that the many volunteers and community members would not have given so readily if they knew that the money would be used to fund city-based projects."

Mr Ingram likened the RSPCA’s actions to a recent decision by the Red Cross to close its blood banks at Bairnsdale and Maffra.

"These city-centric organisations have shown that they have no commitment to their hard working country volunteers and stand condemned for their actions, Mr Ingram.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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