Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House our opposition to animal testing and experimentation. Millions of animals including primates, cats, dogs, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, birds, fish, reptiles and native animals, are subjected to horrific experiments across Australia every year. The reality is that most Australians have no idea what is going on behind closed doors as the industry has no transparency. These animals are kept in confined areas and are subjected to inhumane tests that cause either permanent physical and/or psychological damage and they suffer with a variety of untreated health conditions. They are deprived of social interaction, human contact, companionship and may never see sunlight or feel grass. As sentient beings, animals feel, think, mourn, play and form relationships, friends and love their families. Their basic rights are taken from them and they are instead forced to live a life of confinement. Hundreds of animals are still being secretly held captive in medical experimentation facilities in and around Queensland. It is time to advance science and start using experimental methods that do not involve using animals. Animal experimentation is not only cruel, it is also unnecessary.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ban animal experimentation and also extend legal personhood to animals to ensure these atrocities don’t continue.