22 Apr Animal industries, Rodeo, Pig Hunting, all at risk from State-endorsed sheriff RSPCA:  Katter

You simply cannot be a politically motivated organisation looking to shut down animal agriculture, rodeos, horse racing, and pig hunting, while also being the sheriff on the beat, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has said.

“This is like having the Shooters Union in Queensland doing crowd control!”

Traeger MP Robbie Katter told the Queensland Parliament that he and the KAP strongly objected to the RSPCA being re-endorsed as the body tasked with performing animal welfare investigations on behalf of the state, under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.

“In this day and age in Queensland there must have better accountability.

“The Auditor General’s report demonstrated clear concerns, stating that ‘a potential conflict of interest could arise’.

“Blind Freddy could see that!

“Make no mistake about it, this is the organisation who wants to see the end of animal industries that keep rural communities viable, as well as rodeos, horse racing, and pig hunting – popular and productive pastimes throughout North West Queensland.

“The irony is that pig hunting in North Queensland is providing the state of Queensland a free pest eradication service!  A service that the government and Biosecurity Queensland have been fundamentally unable to provide. Yet here we have RSPCA being handed the keys to prosecute whoever they see fit.

“Rodeo too is a fantastic community event that brings together communities from right across rural and remote Queensland.

“The Mount Isa Rodeo alone brings nearly $10 million to town each and every year and supports more than 60,000 nights of visitor accommodation.

“The KAP and I will not stand aside while Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries abdicates their responsibility to RSPCA – a politicly and ideologically biased activist organisation.

“Animal agriculture, rodeo, and pig hunting are here to stay while we have a say” Mr Katter said.