Media Centre

The Regional Education Commissioner’s 2023 annual report recommends the critical veterinary workforce shortage in regional and remote Australia is immediately addressed.

Recent events involving the death of over 100 Australian cattle onboard a live export ship travelling to Indonesia clearly demonstrates the need for veterinarians to be on board all live export ships, no matter how short the voyage.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) welcomes acknowledgment in the Australian Universities Accord final report that it is essential to increase the skilled rural workforce in the veterinary profession to ensure that all Australian communities enjoy the benefits of good animal health and welfare, and this starts at university.

Recent events involving animals onboard the MV Bahijah have clearly demonstrated the essential nature of veterinarians in protecting the health and welfare of Australia’s livestock and upholding Australia’s biosecurity status - top priorities of all involved in managing the animals onboard MV Bahijah.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) reiterates its strong support for the recommended ban on duck hunting in Victoria, aligning with the recent findings of the Select Committee Inquiry into Recreational Native Bird Hunting.