The Rockliff government needs to stop dragging its feet and immediately release the taskforce report into Tasmanian slaughterhouses, and provide a comprehensive update on the status of investigations into these facilities.
Six months ago, animal activists released horrific footage that showed systemic, illegal cruelty in five slaughterhouses. Tasmanians from all walks of life were shocked and outraged, but the Liberals refused to take immediate action. The previous minister, Jo Palmer, kicked the can down the road and announced a taskforce.
Tasmanians were promised an update on the work of this taskforce at the start of March, but it’s more than a month later and people are still in the dark. Another month of delay, until Parliament returns, to release the report is unacceptable and unnecessary given the gravity of this issue.
There is no good reason the government can’t immediately release the taskforce’s report. Every day that goes past is another day where animals in slaughterhouses may be suffering and in pain.
It seems the Liberals are delaying in the hope the footage that shocked Tasmanians will be forgotten, and people will be distracted by other issues on the return of Parliament.
The new Primary Industries Minister, Jane Howlett, needs to step in where the previous Minister failed and tell Tasmanians exactly what the Liberal Government will – and won’t – do to prevent the systemic cruel practices in slaughterhouses.
