Before I get into the need to support our furry friends and their protectors in the RSPCA, I am getting increasingly concerned (as much as anything because I have skin in the game as part of the Belco Party) at many in the local media only seeking comments from one lot of independents – namely, the Independents for Canberra party. I must say this publication’s Nick Fuller is one of the few journalists who will publish online other comments and policies from minor parties and other independents … and he should be commended on that.
Independents for Canberra are merely just one of several minor independent parties contesting this election. They do not speak for all the other minor parties, and to treat them as such is just plain wrong and sloppy journalism. The media need to ensure the electorate is fully informed of the views of all candidates and parties standing for election.
In my party’s (Belco Party) case, we have not been asked for comment on a number of issues, nor, to my knowledge, have the Strong Independents, whilst Independents for Canberra have. More worrying still is that such important policies as integrity in government (see my article about putting four to six ex-police detectives, sworn in as special constables, into the office of the ACT Integrity Commission to counter any corruption in the ACT ), bringing back Parks and Gardens to keep the ACT tidy and well maintained, and our animal welfare policy got little or no coverage.
The integrity policy was a major one that would really put the cat amongst the pigeons, so to speak, if implemented.
Indeed, when the Belco Party announced its animal welfare policy last Friday, I think only 2CC and the ABC briefly mentioned it. Only 2CC picked up the Parks and Gardens policy. [Canberra Daily covered these in our daily political bulletin. – Ed.] People need to be informed.
This brings me to the Belco Party’s animal welfare policy.
The Belco Party promised to:
1. Put the kangaroo cull on hold until an independent enquiry into the most recent botched cull is held.
2. Fast-track the re-location of the RSPCA to Pialligo (cost already budgeted for $40 million) and offset the cost by selling the 4.4 hectares of land at Weston for housing (land value $120 to 140 million) – so, a profit to the ACT of $80 to $100 million. Ensure a proper animal hospital is built on the new site instead of the garden shed-sized demountable currently used at Weston. Also provide a proper training room and classroom for school students who visit instead of the tearoom used at present.
3. Increase the penalties for cruelty to animals, including raising the maximum for the most serious abuse to 12-year imprisonment. Also provide for lengthy court ordered suspensions from owning an animal for people convicted of cruelty offences. A mandatory minimum 10-year ban would be a good start.
4. Increase the amount the ACT government gives to the RSPCA from $800,000 to $1,500,000 per year.
The Belco Party concluded by encouraging all the candidates and parties contesting this election to adopt this policy. It can only help our furry friends.
