Wildlife Preservation Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Society of Queensland

By Carina ArgentBy Carina Argent

ContentsContents

Defining a Pressure GroupDefining a Pressure GroupThe Roles of Pressure GroupsThe Roles of Pressure GroupsPublic PolicyPublic PolicyPenaltiesPenaltiesType of Pressure GroupType of Pressure GroupStrategiesStrategiesEffectiveness of StrategiesEffectiveness of StrategiesBibliographyBibliography

Defining a Pressure Group

A pressure group is an organised group which attempts to influence the behaviour and actions of the government and administrations without seeking formal control of the government.In Australia there is a fairly clear distinction between political parties and pressure groups .Pressure groups generally aim to achieve influence over particular policies rather than to achieve control of government.

The Roles of Pressure GroupsThe Roles of Pressure Groups

1) Provide ordinary citizens with important means of 1) Provide ordinary citizens with important means of participating in politics participating in politics 2) Pressure groups give people in government an 2) Pressure groups give people in government an idea of who will be affected or is being affected and idea of who will be affected or is being affected and in what way in what way 3) Provide expertise and assistance. Economic 3) Provide expertise and assistance. Economic pressure groups are in a position to supply pressure groups are in a position to supply governments with a great amount of useful governments with a great amount of useful informationinformation4) They provide a useful channel of communication 4) They provide a useful channel of communication between governments and the various publics.between governments and the various publics.

Public PolicyPublic Policy What laws the government has enforced to protect the animals.What laws the government has enforced to protect the animals. The Animal Rights Committee was established in the circumstance that a The Animal Rights Committee was established in the circumstance that a

growing level of community awareness and concern about some of the growing level of community awareness and concern about some of the ways in which humans treat animals. Areas of concern have included ways in which humans treat animals. Areas of concern have included hunting, animal experimentation and neglect and abuse of pets. hunting, animal experimentation and neglect and abuse of pets.

Under the law as it presently stands, animals are a form of property. Unlike Under the law as it presently stands, animals are a form of property. Unlike other forms of property, however, animals are living, conscious beings. other forms of property, however, animals are living, conscious beings. Two of the Committee's main objectives are to ensure that the legislation is Two of the Committee's main objectives are to ensure that the legislation is appropriate and that it is enforced. When the Committee was established, appropriate and that it is enforced. When the Committee was established, there were already several bodies in Australia that were devoted to animal there were already several bodies in Australia that were devoted to animal welfare issues. However, there was no such body with a legal focus. welfare issues. However, there was no such body with a legal focus.

Animal welfare laws in AustraliaAnimal welfare laws in Australia In Australia, under the Constitution, each state and In Australia, under the Constitution, each state and

territory is responsible for its own animal welfare territory is responsible for its own animal welfare legislation. Below is an example of the laws from South legislation. Below is an example of the laws from South Australia.Australia.

The law relating to animals in South Australia is made up of the Act and a set of Regulations. Cruelty to animals is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 , amended in November 1999. The Act sets out a general definition of what constitutes cruelty.

A person who ill treats an animal is guilty of an offence. A person is guilty of ill treating an animal if that person -

deliberately or unreasonably causes the animal unnecessary pain;

being the owner of the animal - fails to provide it with appropriate, and adequate,

food, water, shelter or exercise

Penalties• If a person is found guilty of ill-treating an

animal the maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000 or 12 months imprisonment. Under section 36 of the Act, a person may be ordered to surrender their animals to the RSPCA, and may be prohibited from owning

any animals of a particular species in future.

Type of Pressure Group

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland is a Promotional Pressure group. The Society represents the community's interests at local, state and national levels, and speaks on their behalf.

Their campaigns cover diverse topics ranging from reduction in vegetation clearing, preserving and restoring endangered mahogany glider and bilby habitats, to arresting the decline of dugong populations.

Strategies

Promotional groups are more likely to target public opinion and to use ‘direct action’ strategies to influence government, such as campaigns, petitions, public meetings and marches.

Campaigning to end the recreationalshooting of duck and quail was successful in 2005

The main strategy employed by this pressure group is campaigning. As you can see below there is an example of campaigning, to stop duck and quail shooting.

Effectiveness of StrategiesEffectiveness of Strategies The effectiveness of these strategies can be seen The effectiveness of these strategies can be seen

due to the achievements that the WPSQ has due to the achievements that the WPSQ has accomplished. Such as the protection of The accomplished. Such as the protection of The Great Barrier Reef and Marine Turtles.Great Barrier Reef and Marine Turtles.

Great Barrier ReefGreat Barrier Reef Wildlife Queensland started its 10-year campaign Wildlife Queensland started its 10-year campaign

to protect the whole of the Great Barrier Reef in to protect the whole of the Great Barrier Reef in 1967. Led by Wildlife Queensland, this campaign 1967. Led by Wildlife Queensland, this campaign gathered momentum to oppose limestone mining gathered momentum to oppose limestone mining on Ellison Reef near Innisfail. The campaign then on Ellison Reef near Innisfail. The campaign then also moved to oppose oil drilling in the Reef and also moved to oppose oil drilling in the Reef and the Coral Sea. the Coral Sea.

When the Reef was declared a World Heritage When the Reef was declared a World Heritage Area in 1981, Wildlife Queensland helped co-Area in 1981, Wildlife Queensland helped co-develop the Strategic Plan for the area.develop the Strategic Plan for the area.

Marine turtles Wildlife Queensland campaigned from 1968 to protect the

famous Mon Repos turtle rookery near Bundaberg. This campaign included a successful court battle to stop a controversial subdivision near the rookery in 1983.

Bibliography

• http://www.lawsociety.com.au/page.asp?partid=6290

• http://www.spiral.org.au/sos/index.php?page=11

• http://hsc.csu.edu.au/pta/scansw/powgps.html#anchor281004

• http://www.wildlife.org.au/about.html• http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/

animalwelfare/15469.html