Act Now – Support the NSW Inquiry

On 12 May Independent MP Clover Moore moved that the NSW Parliament hold an inquiry into the welfare of companion animals . This inquiry represents our greatest chance to investigate and address:

  • the shocking euthanasia rate of companion animals in pounds;
  • the breeding of companion animals;
  • practices associated with the sale of animals, including from pet shops, markets and classifieds;
  • the effectiveness of existing companion animal legislation; and
  • mandatory desexing.

The information collected by the committee will be a critical first step to fully exposing and fully understanding the crisis with animal welfare in NSW; and most importantly, it will be the first step to finding a solution.

An inquiry will only proceed with the support of the NSW Government and time is running out before the vote takes place. We urgently need you to contact your state MP and Premier Barry O’Farrell and tell them to vote yes in support of the inquiry into animal welfare.

Clover Moore has long been an advocate for animal welfare and her Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2009, although not supported by the then Labor Government, opened the public’s eyes to a state wide tragedy – the abuse, exploitation and high euthanasia rate of companion animals in NSW. Far from being an ‘animal rights’ issue hundreds of thousands of letters, emails and faxes were sent to NSW politicians in support of the Animals Bill from everyday people shocked and saddened by the treatment of companion animals.

In response to this outcry the NSW Liberal Party promised to support a parliamentary inquiry should they be elected to parliament in the 2011 state election. Now we must ask them to keep their promise.

The indefensible treatment of our animals can and must be stopped; and the power to do this lies with each of us. Take action now and tell your MP to support the inquiry!  

 

 

Take Action!

1. Send Letters to Your MP and the Premier

Writing to your MP is one of the most valuable ways of campaigning on an issue. Every letter counts and your state MP will pay attention, particularly when they receive several letters from their constituents on the same issue. Your letter might just be the one which sways their vote.

It can sometimes seem overwhelming and intimidating writing a letter to a politician – but don’t feel as though you need to communicate every issue or idea in a single letter, nor do you need to be an expert. Keep your letter succinct, raise only two or three points, and make it personal (write from your perspective and why it effects or concerns you).

Tips for Writing Letters

  • Include your name and address
  • Keep it brief
  • Include a subject line at the top of the letter clearly stating the topic
  • Focus on three important things
  • Ask your MP to take concrete action
  • Always ask for a response or for the opportunity to meet

To find the postal address of your MP click here to find out which electorate you live in and click here to find your state MP. Remember to also send a letter to the Premier. See details below:

Electorate Office Mr Barry O’Farrell, MP 27 Redleaf Avenue WAHROONGA NSW 2076 Phone (02) 9487 8588 Fax (02) 9487 8550 Email kuringgai@parliament.nsw.gov.au  
Ministerial Office Mr Barry O’Farrell, MP Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone (02) 9228 5239 Fax (02) 9228 3935 Email office@premier.nsw.gov.au

Ideas: Don’t just send one letter – send one every week; follow up your letter with a phone call; print off the letter template and get your friends to sign and send them to their state MP.

2. Meet With Your MP

Your state MP is your elected representative in the NSW Parliament, and an important part of their job is to consider the points of view and needs of their constituents. Arranging to meet face to face with your MP is the most effective way to raise your concerns for animal welfare in NSW and to urge them to support an inquiry.

To request a meeting simply ring or email your MP’s office, click here to find their contact details. Most politicians have busy schedules, so you will probably have weeks in which to prepare. Before going into the meeting make a concise list of what you would like to talk about, select three important points to focus on as you won’t have time to discuss more.

If you would like to meet with your MP we will be more than happy to provide you with any additional support or information. Most meetings of this nature are brief and it is important to focus on conveying a few basic, but key, points.

3. Phone Your MP

Another very powerful way of letting your MP know that Australians are concerned about the treatment of companion animals in NSW is to ring your elected representatives’ offices and urge them to support the inquiry into companion animal welfare.

Tips for Phoning Your MP

  • Be prepared to express your comments briefly and concisely
  • When you call, give your name and also identify yourself as a constituent when phoning a member of parliament who represents you
  • Ask to speak to your representative or their relevant adviser
  • You will probably be put through to a staff member
  • Ask that your representative take concrete action and support the inquiry
  • It is worth following up after your telephone call with a letter or email

4. Write Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor of newspapers are an effective way to raise awareness in the community about an issue, stimulate debate, and put pressure on the government. You can modify the letter you send to your MP to create an effective letter to the editor – just remember to keep it short!

5. Learn More About the Issues

Being informed about the problems companion animals face is necessary for raising the awareness of other people. Click on the below links to learn more about: