Warrant Powers Allowing the Chief Animal Protection Officer to Compel Witnesses to Produce Documents
Animal Welfare Amendment (Chief Animal Protection Officer) Bill 2025
Private Member's BillLegislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Assent
Introduced by: Amanda Dorn MLC (AJP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Chief Animal Protection Officer can force a person to attend a meeting; they can compel that person to give information or produce documents.
People can no longer refuse these notices by claiming the request conflicts with other obligations.
People who disclose information in good faith under these requests are immune from civil or criminal liability.
The Chief Animal Protection Officer must take an oath to perform their duties impartially upon appointment.
People who are or were board members or directors are ineligible to be appointed as the Chief Animal Protection Officer.
The Governor can suspend the Chief Animal Protection Officer from office.
The Chief Animal Protection Officer cannot exercise certain legal functions without the Governor's approval.
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Amanda Dorn AJP
“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. I am honoured to introduce this bill to the Legislative Council, which seeks to establish the statutory role of the Chief Animal Protection Officer and, by doing so, create an independent Office of Animal Protection.”