Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of notion No. 2, standing in my name for today, proposing a reference to a committee, before asking that it be taken as formal.

Leave is granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 19 August 2019:

The feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses, with particular reference to:

(a) the existence and adequacy of state or industry-based registers;

(b) the benefits of a national register, including for animal welfare, biosecurity safety (including for the prevention and management of Emergency Animal Diseases, such as equine influenza and African Horse Sickness), backyard breeding and the integrity of trade in horses;

(c) overseas models of national tracking systems for horses;

(d) funding, enforcement and penalty implications; and

(e) any related matters.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before making my statement, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the foreign minister from Vanuatu, Minister Regenvanu, and his colleagues.

On 8 February 2019, Commonwealth, state and territory agricultural ministers noted that the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is convening a state and territory working group to consider national horse identification and registration processes to potentially support management of emergency animal disease and natural disaster preparedness and rider safety and to reduce stock theft.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that business of the Senate motion No. 2, as amended, standing in the name of Senator Faruqi be agreed to.