An independent Office of Animal Welfare is needed now more than ever, given the Abbott government's support for legislation that will prosecute vets, journalists, animal protection groups and other members of the public who uncover and expose animal cruelty, Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Rhiannon said.

I am pleased to introduce the Greens' Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015, which establishes the Office of Animal Welfare as an independent statutory authority - with its CEO responsible for reviewing and advising upon the protection of animal welfare in Commonwealth regulated activities.

Tony Abbott's Liberal-National government has thrown its weight behind Senator Chris Back's bill to prosecute whistle blowers and investigators who expose animal cruelty, said Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon.

The six member Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, which has three Government Senators has recommended Senator Back's Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill be passed with a minor change.

The Greens have renewed their call to end Australia's live export trade following the latest exposure of the failure of federal government regulations to stop extreme animal cruelty in overseas abattoirs.

"The recent Animals Australia investigation reveals barbaric acts inflicted on cattle in a major Israeli abattoir, approved to operate under Australia's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System," Senator Lee Rhiannon, Greens animal welfare spokesperson said.

Senator RHIANNON: Dr Richards, I also had some questions on NICNAS and animal testing. I came in when you were in the middle of some of your questions; I apologise if I am repeating any. I want to start off with some process questions, so that I can understand the situation. What information does NICNAS require companies to provide about animal tested substances in order to fulfil data requirements set out in the industrial chemicals act?

Senator RHIANNON: I understand that AMSA is responsible for monitoring flagged vessels compliant with safety and environment protection standards, including the safe carriage of livestock as cargo. Is that correct?
Mr Prosser : That is correct.
Senator RHIANNON: Under the Australian standards for the export of livestock, who is responsible for on-board ship inspections of livestock vessels in Western Australian ports?

Senator RHIANNON: With regard to Animal Health Australia's newly launched National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production, in the document in section 23 on free-range production operations, page 26, it states: 'Some AI'-avian influenza-'of the H5 ... subtypes ... have in the past caused EAD outbreaks in the Australian egg industry'. I was just interested in whether you can supply details of the number of recorded cases of AI in the Australian egg industry.

CHAIR: Senator Rhiannon.

Commenting on the news that Racing Queensland has stood down another 23 greyhound trainers in the wake of the live baiting scandal last month, Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“The dismissal of another 23 trainers exposes the degree of animal abuse and the crisis that is gripping the greyhound industry.

“This comes after 13 Queensland greyhound trainers were stood down following a Four Corners program last month which showed footage of live baiting at Tom Noble’s unregistered training property in Churchable about 55km west of Brisbane.

 The Australian Senate has supported a Greens motion that recognises that activist gag laws would shut down scrutiny of animal cruelty.

Australian Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the passage of the motion.

“The Senate motion highlights that if ag-gag laws were passed it would be impossible for cases of animal cruelty like the exposure of the many cases of abuse of greyhounds to occur,” Senator Rhiannon said.