We’re pleased to let our members know that the AVA has officially submitted feedback on the Northern Territory’s Animal Protection and Related Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
We welcomed key measures such as enhanced care obligations, stronger inspection powers, and updated transport rules that move us toward a modern, welfare-focused framework. However, our submission also calls on the government to go further by:
-
Recognising animal sentience in the Act’s objectives
-
Introducing an explicit duty of care aligned with the Five Domains
-
Broadening the definition of “animal” to include fish, cephalopods, and Malacostraca
-
Developing practical transport guidance and proactive compliance monitoring
In line with Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Committee rules, submissions remain confidential until the Committee authorises their publication. For this reason, the AVA’s submission to this inquiry is not currently available on our website.