It's glaringly obvious that Costello's going after PETA, who, despite the vitriole directed at this group by those with vested interests, has excelled in their programmes to alert ordinary folk to the heinous practices perpetrated on defenceless animals - particularly in Australia.

We all know how far Australia is lagging behind in animal welfare when it continues to incarcerate sows in stalls so small they are unable to turn around for months at a time.

Britain and Sweden banned this barbaric practice years ago. Costello's bill will now see a retrograde step in the already cruel treatment of farmed animals and the industry will view the Bill with relish.

I sincerely trust the owners of abortion clinics will consider appealing to the ACCC against those groups boycotting their clinics, which has the potential to reduce the profits of this industry.

Perhaps Dr Nitschke should also avail himself of the services of the ACCC to prosecute Kevin Andrews who has interfered with Dr Nitschke's medical practice in assisting people to exit this world in the manner they desire.

The SMH article also stated that the 90 member Barristers' Animal Welfare Panel is considering a high court appeal to test the law.

The tug of war between secondary boycotts and the rights to free speech was settled in the US 25 years ago. The high court decided in favour of free speech.

What does that say for the avaricious, industry aligned dunderheads and sadists who are strutting Australia's halls of parliament!?

Yabby

This isnt just sheep and PETA it will cover cruel tests and the companies selling the shampoo and other products.

I told PETA The Government the farmers- you have got the wrong sheep in the wrong country!

We contacted Costello`s office months ago and spoke twice to what seemed to be a really nice man. { One of the advisors.]

We are ALL for stopping PETA making a hash! of Animal Welfare and turning Australian Farmers against ALL groups.

We suggested Mr Costello forced groups rattling the tin to keep themselves in paid jobs to pass the funds on into Animal Welfare projects.

We want the public donations to actually go where the public THINK they are going- to "the Animals to improve conditions."

We also asked for the Government to set up a regristra for ALL Animal Groups and people where by they can be heard.

As it is its veggie only who do the talking pretty much. I think that suites the Government to be honest.

There is something on the nose here in Australia regarding Animal Welfare groups and their structure.

You have self appointed- So called Head of the Federation umbrella who work with PETA who INSTRUCT all their members not to do this and not to do that. You have a Senator who will only work with one lot.

The only thing I know that is number one on their list is NOT to contact work with PALE.

That would seem to include WSPA who refused our membership.


So its interesting their is a black list on the only group who dont pay themselves work hard and above all try to support free range and kind farmers.

PETA ought to explain why?

I have requested a public debate from PETA many times.

After saying all that people should NOT be gagged from free speach and animal testing is cruel and unnessary.

If PETA can help stop THAT then we support them because we are only interested to have humane laws laws for animals.

WHY STOP THE GROUPS MR COSTELLO NEXT YOU WILL TRY TO STOP A PERSON SAYING A WORD , IS THIS WHAT THE GOVERMENT DONE SO NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE RAPES AND ABUSE THAT OCCURRED AT DARUK BOYS HOME WINDSOR N.S.W. , AS THAT IS WHAT ALL YOU GOVERMENT POLITICIANS HAVE DONE IS COVER UP THE ABUSE AND RAPES BY THE STAFF THAT THE GOVERMENT OF AUSTRALIA EMPLOYED ,AND YOU ARE EVEN ALLOWING THE COURTS TO SWEEP THESE ACTS UNDER THE CARPET SO STOP THE COVER UP AND COME CLEAN ,,. I DON;T SAY YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT DARUK BOYS HOME EVER BEEN MENTIONED AROUND PARLIMENT KIND REGARDS MICHEAL BROWN

James, I think you miss the point. The legislation gives the
ACCC the option to act, it does not make it compulsory that they
do. The ACCC is still accountable to the Govt, who are accountable
to the people.

What we had with the Peta case, was a large multinational
organisation, basically IMHO making an ass of the law. These
guys knew full well that farmers are little people, with limited
resources to fight huge litigation cases.

If they had least stuck to some kind of truth, but the way I
see it, they don't seem to care about that, the more publicity
the better.

"These guys know full well that farmers are little people, with limited resources to fight huge litigation cases," says Yabby.

And yet there were ninety nine woolgrower co-applicants who, after spending some $10 million, withdrew their lawsuit but not after pledging to fast-track the development of genetic alternatives to the cruel mutilation of sheep by mulesing.

"They (Peta) continue to tell these untruths." Well, not according to the evidence!

ABC Rural, quoting Dan Matthews of Peta Inc., stated:

"The Australian Wool Industry have spent about $10 million trying to silence Peta with this intimidation lawsuit and many Australian farmers think it is frivolous."

The hearing revealed that AWI only incurred a wool levy loss of some $40,000.

So why did AWI initiate the court case? Did they consider $10 million peanuts in their quest to silence those who speak up against animal cruelty?

I do believe this powerful lobby group (the poor little farmers) have been instrumental in persuading Captain Smirk to engage the ACCC to act on their behalf for future attacks on those who object to inhumane farming practices.

Its asually amusing, when a well meaning, farmer hating ignoramus
like yourself Dickie, tries to comment about an industry which
they clearly don't understand!

I should certainly hope that farmers played a role in Costello
drawing up that legislation to protect Aussie farmers. Americans
are pretty well known for throwing their weight around the world,
yet without the foggiest about the real story. Perhaps you
too are American :)

Dickie, when did farmers remove "chunks of flesh", when they mules
sheep?

I live at the coalface of this industry and have for years. If it
were up to me, mulesing of merino sheep would be mandatory. Genetics
is a 40 year solution, not an immediate solution.

All professional farmers that I know, mules their sheep, for good
reasons. An enormous amount of suffering is prevented, because of it.

What is really a worry is the increase in hobby farmers. They
love animals, buy their little blocks and put their sheep on them.
They don't usually mules their lambs, seldom treat them for lice
either. If there is a blade of green anywhere, they think thats
enough to feed them. Next thing what you have is a bunch of
starving, lice ridden sheep, which when the weather changes, die
miserable deaths from flystrike. They have these blocks for the
lifestyle, not to make a living, so no profit, which you are
so concerned about. What you have is cruelty through ignorance!

But it seems you are too ignorant to understand that and so
are Peta