Recently the AVA has advocated through several Shadow ministers to ask government ministers questions pressing for the Veterinary industry at NSW Budget Estimates (where Ministers are able to be quizzed for several hours at a time on questions related to their portfolio).
- 18th August Senator Aileen McDonald – asked Minister Dib (Minister for Emergency Services) regarding the fairness of the free assistance Vets do for injured wildlife and if there are any plans to recompensate for such work, especially during bushfires. Minister Dib said he would arrange a meeting with Minister Sharpe, who he says would be responsible for such compensation.
- 1st September Senator Sarah Mitchell – asked Minister Moriarty (Minister for Agriculture) regarding the mandate that Vets are expected to take in injured wildlife and strays without compensation. Minister Moriarty replied citing the upcoming Veterinary Services bill, but did not answer the funding question directly.
- 2nd September Senator Aileen McDonald – asked Bureaucrats from the Ministry for Local Govt regarding the complexity of who is to tend to stray cats and the fairness of having no compensation for the 72 hours after hours care. We have sent detailed questions on notice to the relevant bureaucrats for a response.
The advocacy team is continuing the advocacy work at both the state, territory and Federal level to advocate for AVA issues.
