❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Local Government on the review of the Cat Act, cat management, and WA's progress compared to other states. The Minister responds that a review has commenced, previous recommendations have been implemented, and the review will consider diverse views.
AnsweredQoN 1013Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CAT ACT — REVIEW
1013. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the minister representing the
Minister for Local Government:
For over a decade, local
governments have been calling for the ability to better manage and confine pet
cats. The government is on the public record
committing to a review of the Cat Act in 2024, including in its own party
platform.
(1) Will the minister commit to
beginning a review of the Cat Act in 2024?
(2) Why have none of the
recommendations from the 2019 review of the Cat Act been implemented?
(3) Given the
ongoing significant welfare issues for roaming pet cats and the wildlife they
prey on, will the state government enable an interim solution for cat
confinement while we wait for any future outcomes from a Cat Act review?
(4) Why is WA lagging the rest of
the nation when it comes to the management of pet cats?
1013. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the minister representing the
Minister for Local Government:
For over a decade, local
governments have been calling for the ability to better manage and confine pet
cats. The government is on the public record
committing to a review of the Cat Act in 2024, including in its own party
platform.
(1) Will the minister commit to
beginning a review of the Cat Act in 2024?
(2) Why have none of the
recommendations from the 2019 review of the Cat Act been implemented?
(3) Given the
ongoing significant welfare issues for roaming pet cats and the wildlife they
prey on, will the state government enable an interim solution for cat
confinement while we wait for any future outcomes from a Cat Act review?
(4) Why is WA lagging the rest of
the nation when it comes to the management of pet cats?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the
Minister for Local Government.
(1) An initial scoping phase of the
review has commenced.
(2) It is incorrect that none of the findings of the
2019 statutory review of the Cat Act 2011 and Dog Amendment Act 2013
have been implemented. For example, the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill
2021 has since removed the compulsory requirement for pet greyhounds to be
muzzled in public places. Many of the findings also supported existing
arrangements. The Cook government continues to prioritise the implementation of
the ''stop puppy farming'' reforms, including investing $9.8 million
to build the new PetsWA registration system,
which will benefit local governments in their administration of both the Cat Act
2011 and the Dog Act 1976.
(3) The review is
expected to consider a wide range of issues and seek public input on a range of
matters, recognising that there are diverse views among the Western Australian
community.
(4) Pet cat
owners and local governments across Western Australia effectively manage a range
of issues related to pet cats. The review is expected to identify further opportunities
for initiatives to support the responsible ownership and management of
companion animals. If the honourable member would like to raise a question
about a specific policy area, the minister would be pleased to respond.
some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the
Minister for Local Government.
(1) An initial scoping phase of the
review has commenced.
(2) It is incorrect that none of the findings of the
2019 statutory review of the Cat Act 2011 and Dog Amendment Act 2013
have been implemented. For example, the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill
2021 has since removed the compulsory requirement for pet greyhounds to be
muzzled in public places. Many of the findings also supported existing
arrangements. The Cook government continues to prioritise the implementation of
the ''stop puppy farming'' reforms, including investing $9.8 million
to build the new PetsWA registration system,
which will benefit local governments in their administration of both the Cat Act
2011 and the Dog Act 1976.
(3) The review is
expected to consider a wide range of issues and seek public input on a range of
matters, recognising that there are diverse views among the Western Australian
community.
(4) Pet cat
owners and local governments across Western Australia effectively manage a range
of issues related to pet cats. The review is expected to identify further opportunities
for initiatives to support the responsible ownership and management of
companion animals. If the honourable member would like to raise a question
about a specific policy area, the minister would be pleased to respond.
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