Advocacy update - April/May 2023

15 Jun 2023

 

The AVA’s Veterinary and Public Affairs (VPA) team consists of the Advocacy team, Policy team, and SIGs.  In the past two months we have continued to make progress against the proactive national AVA advocacy plan.  We have also progressed a large number of policies through to the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) meeting which took place at the AVA Annual Conference in Adelaide. This work is in addition to the reactive advocacy and submission work which occupies a large amount of the VPA team’s time. 

Since the last update, the AVA has made another 12 submissions on a variety of issues: 

  • Skilled migration 
  • Live Export – consultation on phasing out the live sheep trade 
  • Animal welfare 
  • Education 
  • Veterinary Medicines 
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship 
  • Regulation 

We encourage you to get involved to provide input into activities the AVA is commenting on or undertaking.  

 

Key advocacy activities (National): 

Value of the Profession 

Emergency Animal Diseases - The Animal Health Committee (AHC) working group on the Engagement of Private Veterinary Practitioners during an emergency response,  which the AVA is part of, continues its work on updating the National Guidance document about the Engagement of Private Veterinarians during an Emergency Animal Disease Response. 

The AVA EAD pages on our website are updated with information and resources as they come to hand. 

The AVA's immediate past president, Dr Bronwyn Orr, joined Australian delegates from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, jurisdictional governments, and industry organisations at the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) 90th General Session in Paris.  The theme of the session was high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) 

Workforce sustainability and wellbeing 

We continue to advocate for HECS fee forgiveness for recent veterinary graduates and develop the evidence base and build a coalition of supporters. Unfortunately, funds were not allocated in this year’s budget. We released a media statement registering our disappointment which generated media interest.  

Senator Faruqi continues to question the government in senate estimates on what they are doing to help address the issue of veterinary workforce shortages. We also met with Senator Lambie to highlight the challenges the profession is facing 

Veterinary Nurse regulation 

The AVA participated in a workshop where the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) reached agreement to work together to progress the issue of nationally consistent regulation and title protection of veterinary nurses and technicians. Further reading:  

 

Policy Advisory Council (PAC) Update 

PAC met on Saturday 27 May at the Adelaide Convention Centre ahead of the AVA Annual Conference. A total of 13 draft policies were reviewed and voted upon. A number of policies will progress to the Board for ratification. Multiple policies were reviewed for the purposes of updating and working groups formed to review these over the next few months. Look out for news about the ratified policies in the next advocacy newsletter. 

A review of all of the policies developed in the last PAC annual cycle can be found here. 

 

Key advocacy activities (Divisions): 

ACT 

  • The AVA has been working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with Local Land Services (LLS) to prepare veterinarians for, and to prevent, emergency animal diseases in NSW and ACT. Workshops will be held and there will be free access to the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) course – a nationally accredited e-Learning course that provides a basic introduction to the AIIMS. This is the management system that is used nationally for emergency responses. This course is available free through the DPI to veterinarians and para-veterinary staff that are interested in participating in an EAD response. The course will also be valuable for participation in any emergency response (flood, bushfire, drought etc.). 
  • ACT Veterinarians’ rights to dispense - The ACT Veterinary Practitioner’s Board and AVA ACT Division Committee have sought clarification from the ACT Chief Pharmacist about a veterinarian’s right to dispense medication. 

VIC 

  • Victorian registration fee changes will go ahead despite opposition - The Veterinary Registration Board of Victoria has decided to implement the changes to the Victorian Vet Board's fee structure as originally proposed. This is despite receiving 500 submissions equating to 12% of the Victorian veterinary profession, and while recognising that the 15% increase in most fees and revocation of free honorary general registration is not supported by all members of the profession. 
  • Inquiry into Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements - The AVA appreciates the opportunity to contribute to discussions that assist in the review of Victoria’s recreational native bird hunting arrangements. 
  • Stakeholder Workshop - Animal Welfare Victoria Pet Census - Research is being conducted by Animal Welfare Victoria, with the general community to gain an understanding of the companion and hobby animal ownership landscape in Victoria and the attitudes and issues among pet owners. 
  • Engagement Summary: Reforming Victoria's biosecurity legislation discussion paper - The AVA contributed a submission towards Reforming Victoria's biosecurity legislation discussion paper. The Engagement summary and Discussion paper can be found on the Engage Victoria website. 
  • Victorian Government’s cat management strategy (the Strategy) - The AVA contributed information and discussion to the Victorian Government’s consultation on the state’s first long-term cat management strategy The strategy will establish an integrated and coordinated approach to cat management in Victoria, to improve cat management practices and outcomes. 
  • University of Melbourne EMS Working group - A collaborative working group of AVA member veterinarians and the University of Melbourne has been formed to discuss Extra-mural Services where veterinary students receive clinical training in private practice veterinary hospitals. The group will discuss the structure of EMS, private practice contribution and sustainability of the veterinary profession to provide this service. There is acknowledgement of the significant contribution of Victorian veterinarians to the education of veterinary students. 
  • Meeting with the Hon Gayle Tierney, Minister for Agriculture - The Victorian Division of the AVA met with the Hon Gayle Tierney, Minister for Agriculture to communicate the concerns about veterinary shortages. Discussion occurred around the difficult roles of veterinarians, the work they do for public good, such as wildlife, and the AVA’s desire to work collaboratively with government to find solutions. 

 

TAS 

 

NSW 

  • NSW Emergency Animal Disease Workshops – Free for veterinarians - Local Land Services, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the AVA are holding FREE workshops for veterinarians in four locations across NSW, with CPD points for participation. Attend a workshop to get the latest updates on emergency animal diseases, meet your local District Veterinarian and upskill in animal disease investigation techniques. 
  • The AVA has been working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with Local Land Services (LLS) to prepare veterinarians for, and to prevent, emergency animal diseases in NSW and ACT. Workshops will be held and there will be free access to the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) course – a nationally accredited e-Learning course that provides a basic introduction to the AIIMS. This is the management system that is used nationally for emergency responses. This course is available free through the DPI to veterinarians and para-veterinary staff that are interested in participating in an EAD response. The course will also be valuable for participation in any emergency response (flood, bushfire, drought etc.). 
  • The new NSW Government is promising a review into the companion animal act and the Division is looking to collaborate with the NSW parliament to make sure this review addresses the concerns of members. We have reached out to and are arranging meetings with MPs to discuss a wide range of issues affecting vets in NSW. 

 

QLD  

  • Members of the QLD Committee and the AVA’s APV team meet regularly with BQ to progress a proposed pilot for subsidised transport fees to send lab samples for EAD exclusion. This has included conducting a survey on behalf of BQ to obtain data to support this pilot project. Discussions have also extended to how BQ can enhance its communications methods with veterinary practitioners for all BQ and DAFQ matters. 
  • Two AVA members have recently been appointed to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland and complement the expertise on the Board with their experience in rural and mixed animal practice. 
  • Caring for sick or injured wildlife – Queensland legislated requirements - There are many regulations, codes of practice and guidelines that practicing veterinarians are required to be familiar with. These can often be challenging to be aware of, or complex to interpret. 
  • Regulated veterinary procedures certificates - The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act) regulates certain procedures that can be performed on animals. The Act also requires veterinary surgeons’ certificates to accompany an animal throughout its life. 
  • Subsidy for Veterinary Student Placements in Northern Australia - $3,000 subsidies are now available for veterinary placements in Northern Australia through the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS). 

 

SA 

 

WA  

  • The WA Division President met with WA Agriculture Minister, Ms. Jackie Jarvis. In the productive discussion, Division representatives addressed the pressing issues faced by the veterinary profession, including severe workforce shortages, the review and update of the WA Animal Welfare Act and the development of the WA Veterinary Regulations (Tranche 2). They  emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and the veterinary community to ensure that animal welfare is at the forefront of these reviews and regulations. 
  • The AVA APV team  continues to champion issues affecting our members, including;  
    • the legal authority for veterinarians to euthanise on animal welfare grounds as part of the Animal Welfare Act review 
    • cat welfare considerations for proposed changes to cat containment regulations and review of the Cat Act 
    • the provision of discounted and subsidised veterinary services for clients experiencing vulnerabilities 
    • animals in evacuation centres and the role of veterinarians in emergencies, in a submission to the WA State Emergency Relief and Support Plan consultation. 

This has been achieved through meetings with government ministers and department officers, and other organisations, including; DPIRD, Minister for Agriculture Jackie Jarvis, Minister for Local Government John Carey, Member of Parliament – The Hon Rick Wilson and The Cat Haven 

  • Subsidy for Veterinary Student Placements in Northern Australia - $3,000 subsidies are now available for veterinary placements in Northern Australia through the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS). 
  • Murdoch University External Advisory Group (EAG) - The AVA is pleased to be part of the Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine External Advisory Group. At a recent meeting the AVA outlined and confirmed the advocacy work that is being undertaken vigorously in all the areas identified as urgently required to support the veterinary profession, and the Murdoch University Veterinary School. Our We highlighted our advocacy focus on the value of the veterinary profession and the need for improved government support both in veterinary education and  the working profession. The AVA has invited the Murdoch University Veterinary School to contribute its voice to AVA advocacy campaigns. 

 

NT 

  • The focus of advocacy work supporting the NT Division has continued around increasing both vet and vet nurse workforce capacity. The Division is communicating with government and other sectors around the availability of government funded vet nurse training and also paid government vacation training programs for vet students. 
  • More Territorians can now access Japanese encephalitis vaccination - The NT Government has advised that an additional 40,000 Territorians are now eligible to receive the free Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine to ensure people living in high-risk areas are protected. Eligibility for the vaccine has been expanded due to the recent detection of JEV in mosquitoes in wetlands bordering the northern Darwin suburbs and in Tennant Creek. 
  • Subsidy for Veterinary Student Placements in Northern Australia - $3,000 subsidies are now available for veterinary placements in Northern Australia through the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS). 

  

Key advocacy activities (Special Interest Groups): 

Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinarians 

  • In May the Working Group for Rabbit Meat Industry Welfare wrote to all safe food authorities and the animal welfare regulators in each state. In the first instance, the purpose was to gather information on how (state/territory), and the responsible government departments, currently regulate this industry in terms of both animal welfare and food safety. We have received a number of responses back that will inform next steps.  

Australian Veterinary Student Group 

  • In May, AVA staff met with members of Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand during the AVA Annual Conference to discuss the AVA’s successful working relationship between the AVSG and veterinary schools. There was discussion on how best to support veterinary students.  

Australian Cattle Veterinarians  

 

THRIVE Update 

Earlier this year we announced our intention to launch a pilot program that would support veterinarians and veterinary teams to build a psychologically safe working environment. 

We are proud to champion the THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams pilot program which will deliver tailored psychological health and safety awareness training in the workplace for all members of the veterinary team. This pilot program will be available free of charge for 50 participating workplaces across Australia between September 2023 and December 2024.  

The purpose of the program is to: 

  1. Articulate the definitions of psychological health and safety, workplace culture and ‘safe teams’ for veterinary and animal health businesses 
  2. Provide evidence-based and strengths-based examples of a safe team 
  3. Inspire individuals to consider how they can help build a safe veterinary team through personal responsibility and accountability 
  4. Encourage practice leaders, managers, and entire teams to define and commit to cultivating a workplace that is safe, equitable and well.  

AVA is working with Aspect Group, a leading provider of workplace psychological health and safety solutions, to co-design and deliver the training program face-to-face over an 18-month period. Participants and their workplaces will be asked to sign an industry pledge stating their commitment to cultivating a safe and mentally healthy workplace. They will be provided with resources to support their training, including an industry specific mental health and suicide prevention framework. 

Safeguarding and promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace is a whole-of-industry responsibility – employers and employees can all play a part in minimising psychosocial hazards and promoting psychosocial safety.  

We are leading this exciting new initiative for the profession. To see this flourish beyond the pilot phase we will need all veterinary stakeholders to make the commitment to preventing harm from psychosocial hazards in the industry; promoting strengths, capabilities, and the rewards of work; and protecting all of us when we experience stress and are unwell. 

If you would like to express your interest to participate in the pilot program, please complete your details here on our website. 

 

Public Affairs Update 

During April and May, the VPA team of AVA participated in a wide range of external stakeholder meetings. Meetings were held with Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand, APVMA, Sophie’s Legacy, a number of members of Parliament, government departments and not for profit organisations, international veterinary associations, Australian Universities Accord Panel, The Pharmacy Board and the Chief Veterinarian’s Office.  

Since the last report, the AVA has continued to feature strongly in the media and social media. There have been three media releases which can be found here.  

During April and May the “Sick as a Dog” podcast aired its eight episodes. This podcast talks to the issues facing the profession and has been an excellent public awareness raising resource. The AVA worked closely with producer Caroline Winter to provide intelligence about the profession and what we are doing to contribute to the solution. 

The theme for World Veterinary Day 2023 was Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession. The AVA hosted  and online panel discussion: DEI in the Veterinary Profession: Where are we and what do we need to do next?. The AVA recently actioned some of the learnings at our national conference and will be including a section on DEI in the upcoming workforce survey.  

Ahead of National Pet Day we developed collated a suite of resources to assist veterinarians to support the human- companion animal bond.  

 

As always, we welcome any feedback you have around our updates - please email publicvetaffairs@ava.com.au. 

Best Wishes, 

Cristy Secombe, Graham Pratt, Melanie Latter, and Jeffrey Wilkinson, on behalf of the Veterinary and Public Affairs team