Australian Animal Welfare: A Critical Analysis of Regulatory Framework and Case Studies

Running head: AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WELFARE
RESEARCH ESSAY ON AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WELFARE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WELFARE
Introduction
Animal welfare is a matter of concern of the State and the federal government which
is often neglected as it rarely finds its mention in the Constitution or Bill of rights of a state1.
Australian Constitution lacks a mention of the rights of the animal and matters related to their
welfare as the commonwealth has never been vigilant about this issue, as maybe for the fact
that animals are not voters and does not exert an influence over the polity of the state. For the
last decade several organisations and institutions has been exerting influence on the federal
government to be more receptive and cooperative in the matters of animal welfare laws. In
this regard, the commonwealth has been more active than ever on this matter even though the
country lacks a support from its constitution in terms of protecting its animals2.
Several supportive regulations have been framed so far in order to hold an influential
position in terms of regulating animal welfare, more importantly matters relating to farmed
animals. Interventions in this matter have enhanced the significance of the matter, which has
increased the responsibility of the state, along with its respect towards the rights of the
animals in the state. However, it is contended that the regulatory frameworks are having
deficiency in different respect, most importantly in relation to the laws and regulations of the
treatment farmed animal. Hence, this research essay will comprise of a critical analysis of the
regulation of animal welfare laws in Australia along with a discussion on two different case
studies, one of which shall be discussing the matters of animal used in research while the
other would be regarding the famous greyhound racing of Australia.
1 Chen, Peter John. Animal welfare in Australia: Politics and policy. (Sydney University Press, 2016)
2 Grandin, Temple, ed. Improving animal welfare: a practical approach. Cabi, 2015

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Regulatory framework for animal welfare
Australia is still lagging behind in terms of legislating an appropriate animal welfare
law at the federal government level, while they are dealt by the states and territories. In this
respect, the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy approached the government and ensured that
every state and territory is to be represented by at least one piece of animal welfare
legislation. A policy regarding the standards of land Transport of Livestock has been
embraced by most Australian states and such states have been handed over the control of
implementing such policies and regulations, hereby regulating and managing the funds for
the cause3. Different regulations from different states have been supportive of the cause with
passing time, like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW), the Animal Welfare
Act 1985 (SA), the Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic), the Animal Welfare Act 1992 (ACT),
Animal Welfare Act 1993 of Tasmania, Animal Welfare Act 2000 of Northern Territory,
Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (Qld), Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA)4. All of the
above-mentioned statutes strives to prevent cruelty against animals along with creating duty
of care and associated responsibilities for the owners of the animals. Most of the Animal
Welfare legislations strives to prevent people from unreasonably hurting animals, thereby
putting a strict vigilance over the owner of the animals. Some of these laws even include
certain classes of vertebrates, cephalopods and crustaceans reared for humans to consume as
food products. Abandoning one’s pet animals or the commercial ones is also prohibited under
these legislations. The Animal welfare legislations of different states address various issues
pertaining to the welfare of animals in Australia.
Intensive animal farming, live export of animals, use of animals in scientific
researches, inhuman animal slaughter, excessive animal product consumption, et cetera are
3 Chen, Peter John. Animal welfare in Australia: Politics and policy. (Sydney University Press, 2016)
4 "Department Of Agriculture Animal Welfare Issues", Agriculture.Gov.Au (Webpage, 2019)
<http://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/welfare/animal-welfare-issues#greyhounds>.

3AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WELFARE
some of the major animal welfare issues that has been faced by Australia for a long time5.
Statistical data shows that 500-600 animals are being slaughtered in Australia, not only for
food but also due to the diseases affecting the animals that are poorly treated6. Most of these
animals are poorly maintained and are not taken care of. The export of animals have caused a
controversy in the country and abroad as it was held that the animals are not protected by an
appropriate law in the country where they were being shipped. Inhuman slaughter of animals
has been another big issue in the country where questions were raised on the procedures in
which the animals were being slaughtered. It was held by many animal welfare organisations
that the animals should be stunned before they are slaughtered in order to lessen their pain
and suffering of an inhumane death. Apart from these, the issue of animal use in scientific
research has been most vicious and growing one7.
The year 2016 witnessed nearly 12 million animals being used in scientific research
and studies in Australia in a study conducted by Humane Research Australia, an international
organisation for animal welfare8. 75% of these animals word put under observational studies
which could still harm them in some way unlike experimental studies9. The Humane
Research Australia along with the Humane Society international had started a 'Be Cruelty
Free Campaign' in 2016 where the Australian government was made to pledge banning
animal testing in the cosmetics industry10. However, not just in the cosmetic industry but the
use of animal in various other scientific researches is still an ongoing process and is
jeopardizing the Animal welfare Law in the country.
Case Study 1: Animal use for scientific researches and laboratory testing
5 Ibid.
6 "2016 Statistics Of Animal Use In Australian Research And Teaching", Humaneresearch.Org.Au (Webpage,
2019) <http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/statistics/statistics_2016>.
7 Ibid.
8 "2016 Statistics Of Animal Use In Australian Research And Teaching", Humaneresearch.Org.Au (Webpage,
2019) <http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/statistics/statistics_2016>.
9 Ibid.
10 "Humane Society International: About Us: Humane Society International", Humane Society
International (Webpage, 2019) <https://hsi.org.au/aboutus>.