Interpretation

Current

In this Act—

animal means—

(a)

a member of any species of the subphylum vertebrata other than a human being; or

(b)

a member of the class cephalopoda if it is being supplied, kept or used for scientific purposes; or

(c)

a prescribed animal or a prescribed animal kept or used in prescribed circumstances, but does not include an embryo, foetus, larva or other early developmental stage of an animal except as prescribed by the regulations (after consultation undertaken in compliance with section 79(4)) or set out in a prescribed code of practice;

animal ethics committee—see

Part 4

Division 3;

animal welfare notice means a notice given by an authorised officer under section 40;

animal welfare order means an order of a court under Part 5

Division 4;

authorised officer means—

(a)

a police officer; or

(b)

a person holding an appointment as an authorised officer under Part 5;

Code means the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes published by the National Health and Medical Research Council, as amended from time to time;

enforceable undertaking—see

Part 5

Division 2;

harm means any form of damage, pain, suffering or distress (including unconsciousness), whether arising from injury, disease or any other condition;

notice to comply means a notice given by an authorised officer under section 41;

owner includes—

(a)

in relation to an animal—a person who has the custody, care, control or management of the animal; and

(b)

in relation to real or personal property—a person entitled to possession of the property;

premises means any land, building or structure (including a moveable building or structure);

registered activity means an activity registered under Part 4

Division 3;

scientific purposes, in relation to an animal—

(a)

means all activities conducted with the aim of acquiring, developing or demonstrating knowledge or techniques in all areas of science, including teaching, field trials, environmental studies, research (including the creation and breeding of a new animal line where the impact on animal wellbeing is unknown or uncertain), diagnosis, product testing and the production of biological products; or

(b)

if there is an inconsistency between paragraph (a) and the definition of scientific purposes in the Code—has the same meaning as in the Code;

serious harm means—

(a)

harm that endangers an animal's life; or

(b)

harm that results in an animal being so severely injured, so diseased or in such physical condition that it would be cruel not to destroy the animal; or

(c)

harm that consists of, or results in, serious and protracted impairment of a physical or mental function;

vehicle includes an aircraft, a vessel, a caravan, a trailer and anything attached to a vehicle;

veterinarian has the same meaning as in the Veterinary

Services Act 2023.

This Act’s bill:Second reading speech

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3 Interpretation