2020-12-02
Madam Speaker, I am happy to support this petition and continue the tradition of Greens MLA’s bringing the voice of the community to the Legislative Assembly. The Greens have long supported community petitions and their place in our democratic processes, and it will continue to be a priority of the ACT Greens in this Assembly term to bring community petitions to the Assembly.
The ACT Greens have a strong animal welfare agenda, and this includes supporting horse ownership and horse riders. We are also committed to ensuring that horses are treated well and with consideration of strong animal welfare standards.
I understand that most horse owners care deeply for their animals, and owners clearly play an important role in the animal welfare of their horses. I would also note that there is also deep and growing community concern around the injury and deaths of horses in the racing industry, and that these concerns are valid and worthy of ongoing discussion.
The ACT Greens support the Australian Greens’ calls for a national Royal Commission to further examine animal welfare issues in the horse racing industry.
In relation to the specifics calls in this petition for more funding for the arts, I would also like to highlight the ACT Greens’ strong commitment to increased funding for the arts and for artists. As Members would be aware, COVID-19 has had an immense impact on artists and the creative community, and we believe it is important to provide funding to artists so that they are able to continue to create with increased certainty of funding for their industry even during a pandemic.
I thank the petitioner and its supporters for their advocacy on these issues, and I note that as there are over 500 signatures, it will be referred to committee for further consideration.
Statement Ends
You can read the petition at → epetitions.act.gov.au/ClosedEPetition.aspx?PetId=156&lIndex=-1