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One of the ways AVA is visible tomembers, decision-makers and thewider community is via our

combined efforts at a political and industrylevel. Much of this activity happens quietlyand so goes unnoticed: so from time to timein this column I will be documenting AVAprogress and challenges in this area.

The team of lobbyists for the AVAincludes some members of DivisionExecutives, the Policy Development andImplementation based in Canberra and ledby Dr Kevin Doyle. He is now supported byDr Tim Wilson who has been appointed as apart time Deputy Veterinary Director, andby Maria Bond. The Policy group is alsosupported by the Media Officer, GavinAtkins plus the CEO and the AVA President.Some SIGs also involve themselves inlobbying; most active at the moment are theEquine, Cattle and Small Animals.

Federal issuesAt a federal level, a range of legislation has

been completed that has had input from theAVA, including the Export Livestock Bills,the National Animal Welfare (Bartlett) Bill2005 (referred to Rural and Regional Affairsand Transport Committee) and theTherapeutic Goods Amendment Bill.

AVA representatives have been activelycontributing to the Australian AnimalWelfare Strategy Advisory Committee andare on six sectoral working groups, and areproviding papers regarding implementationfor the Primary Industries StandingCommittee and Primary IndustriesMinisterial Council.

AVA representatives are assisting to createposition statements on a wide range of issuesthrough the National ConsultativeCommittee on Animal Welfare, includingposition statements on animal welfare,biotechnology, aggressive dogs and mulesing,just to name a few.

AVA representatives continue to haveinput into committees concerning liveexports, and are investigating ways tomonitor welfare, as well as contributing tocodes for the long distance transport oflivestock. Our relationship with AnimalHealth Australia has also been expandingrecently, including through the ProtectAustralia Livestock Campaign (PALC) andthe Australian Veterinary Reserve (AVR) andAccreditation Program for AustralianVeterinarians (APAV) trainings.

Additionally, AVA was involved inExercise Eleusis (the National EmergencyZoonosis Exercise that focused on avianinfluenza) and has been an active lobbyist fornational registration, for funds for

universities to support clinical training forstudents, and for an increased veterinarypresence in biosecurity issues.

ACTThe ACT Division has consulted with ACTGovernment about the introduction of theHealth Professionals Act 2004. This act willnot provide coverage for all healthprofessionals, including veterinarians, so theessential work has been to turn provisions inthe Veterinary Surgeons Act into a schedule.The schedule will provide for registration ofnon-practising veterinarians

The ACT Division of the AVA has alsobeen working on the Animal WelfareAmendment Bill 2006 to ensure that itincludes provisions that would make it anoffence under the Animal Welfare Act 1992if any person’s reckless conduct causes seriousharm or death to an animal.

Also in the ACT, Dr Lynch has beenincluded on a committee to examineveterinary matters relating to cytotoxicguidelines while a group has been appointedto look at rejuvenating the PetPEP programwhich will include consultation withgovernment.

NSWThe NSW Department of Primary Industriesis shortly expected to release a draft of theVeterinary Practice Act. Last year, AVA NSWsuccessfully lobbied for a moratorium on thelegislation that would allow firms with ananimal focus to sell a range of veterinaryproducts. The legislation covers fundamentalaspects of veterinary practice in NSW.

NSW Division has also been workingwith ACAC, AVA PetPEP, Delta and othergroups to put together a proposal thatincludes a range of programs and aims toeducate children about being aroundanimals.

NTDr Daniel Atkins has been appointed to aNorthern Territory Government committeeto represent AVA NT Division to interpretlegislation about the prescription of veterinarymedicines. One of the issues he will bediscussing is the liability connected to uniquearrangements in the NT, where the healthdepartment can issue permits for lay peopleto administer prescription medicines.

SAAnimal welfare is currently managed by theDepartment of Environment & Heritage inSouth Australia through the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act. AVA South Australiahas been in negotiation with relevantMinisters about transferring the responsibilityfor animal welfare to the Department ofPrimary Industries. This change would meanthat treatment of animal welfare was moreconsistent across all States.

TasmaniaThe Tasmanian Division of the AVA has beenasked to participate in reviewingforeshadowed changes to the Dog ControlAct and will be working closely inconsultation with the Tasmaniangovernment.

WAThe AVA Western Australian Division hasbeen liaising with the government to updatethe Veterinary Surgeons Act. After many yearsof consultation, an update is believed to be inthe pipeline.

VictoriaVictorian Division has a strong animalwelfare group, assisted by a broader referencegroup and is active on the Animal WelfareAdvisory Committee (AWAC). A newAgriculture Chemicals Bill has beenforeshadowed, and the Division hascommented on an ‘issues and options’ paper;however the proposed legislation has not yetbeen released.

QueenslandQueensland Division has been meeting withrepresentatives of the RSPCA andQueensland Government to discuss thecontinuation of the AVA PetPEP program.Discussions have also commenced with theQueensland Government about urban animalmanagement and control.

Small Animals SIG (ASAVA)Stories and issues relating to the care ofcompanion animals are of interest to themedia, and so the AVA Media Officer hasbeen putting together a number of media

AVA CEO Margaret Conley

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N12 Australian Veterinary Journal Volume 84, No 6, June 2006

NSW DivisionThe Veterinary Practice Act regulations have been released

for comment for veterinarians registered in NSW. Theywill be available in "Boardtalk," and eight meetings to

discuss these have been planned throughout NSW.The AVA web site has been updated and simplified. Three

clicks of the mouse is the most you will need. It is brighter andmore informative. Branches who wish to publicise events andmeetings only have to contact the New South Wales divisionoffice to organise this. As well, you can view events all aroundthe country. I am hoping that we can add to the web site thecommittee members mug shots as well as biographies that Aidais so willingly preparing for us.

Dr Tim Wilson has started employment with the AVA asAssistant Veterinary Director to Dr Kevin Doyle. Tim will alsobe acting on a part time basis as a lobbyist for the New SouthWales division, assisting the committee in formulating strategiesof benefit to our members and building on a network of industryand government contacts to allow the division to better expressthe views of our members on issues concerning all of ourdivision members.

The division produced the first of the quarterly electronicnewsletters. If you did not receive this, please inform either Julieor Aida at NSW division office by telephoning 02 9431 5070.Also, if you require a printed copy, contact our efficient officegirls. They will arrange it for you.

releases in this area, and the ASAVA Executive Officer has often beenthe AVA spokesperson. Issues covered in the past few months haveincluded sulphides in pet foods, flea treatments and heartworm.

Equine SIG (AEVA)In the past quarter, the AEVA has met with racing regulators in NSW(Racing NSW) and Victoria (Racing Victoria) and with the nationalorganisation which is responsible for the Rules of Racing, theAustralian Racing Board. Similarly the AEVA is looking to build on itsrelationships with the Veterinary Surgeons Boards of all states to accesskey information, such as proposed changes to state based legislationand procedures. Members of the AEVA Executive recently attended aVeterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria meeting todiscuss equine related issues. The AEVA also has input into importantmatters of national significance such as quarantine, horse health andwelfare issues.

Cattle SIG (ACV)Australian Cattle Veterinarians have been working with the CattleCouncil of Australia to ensure that AVA is actively involved in the LiveExport Advisory Group. ACV has also been working with breedsocieties and industry to ensure that standards are maintained forfertility examination of bulls.

I hope members find this update of interest.

Margaret ConleyChief Executive Officer

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