QLD 2023 Advocacy wrap up

23 Jan 2024

A summary is provided below of the AVA Advocacy work that was undertaken at QLD Division level in 2023.

If you would like additional information about the AVA’s broader advocacy work please visit this AVA webpage.

Also available at this link is guidance for the veterinary policy and advocacy process.

QLD focused advocacy

  • Advocacy Projects 
    • Lab sample transport cost subsidy/communications project with BQ
    • Reducing barriers to vet services (poisons & medicines legislation/VSBQ regs) project – will involve VSBQ
    • Q-Fever Vet Nurse vaccination cost support project – involving the VNCA
    • Minister Murray Watt campaign – including facilitating QLD regional practices to make contact to highlight and request the need for HECS relief and other initiatives to support regional & remote veterinary services
  • QLD Govt Meetings
    • Minister for Agriculture & Director General of Agriculture met with AVA representatives in Brisbane – main focus: issues around workforce and particularly the risk to regional vets and communities
    • Fiona Thompson (Head of BQ/VSBQ Chair), Valerie Mustafay (VSBQ Registrar)  met with AVA Senior Advocacy Officer in Brisbane – main focus: vets filling scripts from other vets clarified
    • BQ Animal Welfare Director, Fiona Ferguson, - online meeting with AVA – main focus: the AVA being involved during the development of regulations and guidelines relating to  new animal welfare legislation.
    • QLD Small Business Commission – online meeting with AVA representatives – main focus: challenges faced by small business veterinary practices, especially around legislation that doesn’t work and contributes to poor productivity and wellness issues. 2nd meeting with Commissioner meeting scheduled for 2024
    • Mental Health Commission meeting – online meeting with AVA staff – main focus: sharing MH and workforce challenges facing the veterinary profession & calling for government support for AVA initiatives (including THRIVE)
    • Domestic and Family Violence Framework and Strategy consultation – AVA staff member contributes online – main focus: Having a framework or toolkit for in-practice use would be very beneficial for DFV situations
  • Working Groups
    • Queensland Biosecurity Partners Forum (1.5 days) – AVA staff attended online
    • Animal Biosecurity Market Access Liaison Group – AVA staff attended all meetings online
    • Horse Biosecurity Market Access Liaison Group – AVA staff member attended all meetings online
    • Poultry Health Liaison Group meetings - AVA staff member or other AVA SIG rep attended all meetings online
    • Industry Biosecurity Response Readiness Training - AVA representative attended in Brisbane 
    • Animal Management Stakeholder Engagement Group - AVA member attended as an AVA representative
  • Consultations/Submissions
    • Consultation on livestock branding and earmarking in Queensland - submission
    • Consultation on Stronger Dog Laws – submission and media releases (plus 2nd submission to Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023)
    • Survey - Skilled migration
    • Use of nose twitches on horses – public information on QD Govt website regarding use by vets website was misleading around a veterinarian’s ability to use nose twitches on horses without contravening Animal Welfare regulations. Following communication with the relevant departments, this information was revised to be more accurate.
  • Info provided to QLD members:
    • Vets filling scripts from other vets
    • Regulated veterinary procedures certificates
    • National recognition of veterinary registration
    • Subsidy for Veterinary Student Placements in Northern Australia
    • Protective measures against Ehrlichiosis
    • EAD notifications, prep & support
    • Natural Disaster prep & support
    • Monthly Division newsletter