Promoting the Liberal Parties policies
but nothing about the other parties
The Toorak Times was made aware yesterday by one of our readers that the RSPCA Victoria appear to be promoting the policies of the Victorian Liberal- National Coalition, even though they have indicated for example,that recent gains in the area of puppy farming as enacted by the Andrews Government, will be rolled back should they form government.
That has incensed a lot of people but the fact that it appears that the RSPCA Vic is supporting the Liberal-National Coalition, has even more people up in arms over what appears to be a breach of political neutrality.
There is what can only be described as a strong back-lash against the RSPCA Victoria, with views expressed on the RSPCA Vic Facebook page overwhelmingly against their post.
In an email to the reader, as well as in a post on their Facebook page, they state:
BREAKING NEWS!
Over the last few months we’ve been meeting with Members of Parliament in the lead up to the state election, encouraging them to commit to the animal welfare priorities we chose with the help of Victorians like you!
We are delighted to announce that, if elected, the Liberal-National Coalition has just committed to making animal welfare codes of practice mandatory!
The Coalition has also committed to updating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which may include legislating a duty of care to animals. They will also consider amendments to the Domestic Animals Act to introduce mandatory desexing of companion cats and dogs, as well as allowing vets and animal shelters to legally reunite lost pets with their owners.
This is fantastic news for the animals of Victoria!
Stay tuned – we will bring you updates on how other parties are responding as they come in.
The RSPCA maintains in a response to the growing complaints about what appears to be a deliberate promotion of the Liberal-National Coalition, that the comments –
RSPCA Victoria supports animal welfare policies, not parties.
Yet there is no mention of the policies of the Victorian Labor Party, The Greens, The Animal Justice Party or Independents.
As an organisation that depends significantly on the support of the community, this blatant promotion of the Liberal-National Party has many supporters indicating that they will no longer support the RSPCA financially or in other ways.
Some comments on Facebook:
Just pathetic! If the RSPCA was going to genuinely assess all parties policies they should do a side by side comparison
Are you kidding me? Why don’t you just go promote the shooters, fishers and farmers party?
It is painful to read all the ignorant comments above. Liberals are on the record that they will not change any puppy farm legislation.
I’ve written to them [The RSPCA] cancelling all donations and subscriptions
It would seem that at the best, the RSPCA have made a public relations blunder in promoting the policies of a single party, even if it is corrected at a later time by promoting other parties policies.
At the worst, it is a blatant attempt to influence voters through their influence.
The RSPCA post says – “Our Furry Army motto is, “vote fur animals!”
It is a shame that this post by the RSPCA seems to indicate otherwise.
The RSPCA is always going to be under scrutiny and as such needs to be sensitive to decisions or actions that may be controversial.
With the Liberal-National Coalition trailing in the polls for the forthcoming Victorian election, this is one event they should have been very sensitive to.
This article was written by:
Rob Greaves – [Senior Editor, Toorak Times]
