Reception in Support of RSPCA Queensland to Celebrate the Centenary of the Animals Protection Act (1925)

Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Tony Perrett MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Sarah Hutton; Member for Ipswich, Ms Jennifer Howard MP; Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries, Mr Graeme Bolton; Chair, RSPCA Queensland, Ms Louise Cox, and Board Members; Chief Executive Officer Ms Emma Whitehead; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today. 

I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon, to celebrate a significant milestone in the history of animal welfare legislation in our state.  

As Patron of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, I am pleased to have this opportunity to reflect on the impact of this incredible organisation on shaping the laws that have made such an immense difference to the discovery and prosecution of animal ill-treatment. 

This includes, of course, the transformative Animals Protection Act which was assented to in Parliament on this very date, 100 years ago, and largely came about because of intense lobbying by RSPCA Queensland—which recognised the deficiencies of the 1901 Act—even though that itself, had been a monumental step forward. 

In 1925, when the Act was made public, one commentator said that “the decision of the Queensland Government to bring in a bill for more effectual prevention of cruelty to animals is a reminder that such humane moves are of comparatively modern times” as “it was not until 1822 that any real legislative notice was taken in England or elsewhere of animal protection”. 

Importantly, this new legislation gave RSPCA Queensland the legal right to enter properties to investigate, gather evidence, and to take possession of mistreated domestic or captive animals and remove them to safety—and this pivotal change has ensured that over the years, untold numbers of animals have been rescued from cruelty. 

Last financial year alone, over 23,000 animals were saved by the Rescue Teams and almost 14,000 animal welfare concerns were investigated by the Inspectorate—sadly showing that the power disparity between people and animals will always put the latter at risk. 

The threat of increased fines and imprisonment within the Act also helped to drive change in the way people dealt with their animals—empowering RSPCA Queensland to more effectively pursue its objective of teaching humans about their responsibilities and duty of care and demonstrated today by education programs that continue to successfully reach into our state’s schools and communities. 

And, although this Act has since been superseded, the 1925 legislation was the foundation upon which subsequent Acts and amendments have been based—and the legal authority it gave RSPCA Queensland, strengthened and propelled the organisation into the dynamic force for good that we know and cherish today. 

This afternoon, we celebrate the tremendous improvements that have helped establish a much more effective RSCPA in our state over the past century. 

And while this can be partly attributed to advances in the legislation that helps protect all animals—wild and domestic—it also comes down to the amazing individuals who are such passionate champions for animal welfare in Queensland. 

I commend all of those working on the frontlines who deal daily with sick and injured animals. I thank the Board, executive and staff of RSPCA Queensland for your unwavering commitment, the 3,000-plus volunteers and supporters who ensure all aspects of the organisation are helped, and the wonderful donors who give so generously—last year, to the tune of over $33 million. 

Please enjoy this opportunity to celebrate all that has been achieved.