Hon. Amanda Dorn questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the recognition of animal sentience and the moral responsibility to protect animal welfare. The Minister acknowledges the independent review's recommendation to amend the Animal Welfare Act to recognize animal sentience, indicating government support.

AnsweredQoN 520Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 August 2025
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

Animal welfare—Sentient beings
520. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer the minister
to the growing body of scientific evidence confirming the sentience of animals.
(1) Does the minister recognise that animals are
sentient beings capable of experiencing sensations such as pain, pleasure, fear
and joy?
(2) Does the minister believe that recognising
animal sentience places a moral responsibility on us to protect their welfare?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable
member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The report of the independent
review of the Animal Welfare Act recommended that the Animal Welfare Act be
amended to recognise that animals are living beings, able to perceive, feel and
have positive and negative experiences. This recommendation is supported by the
government.

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