RSPCA returns fire over funding
The head of the RSPCA has lashed out at critics who accuse it of lacking accountability and being driven by ideology, saying they are "trying to cast aspersions" and "playing politics".
As Premier Colin Barnett hosed down calls for an inquiry into the animal welfare group, the RSPCA's WA president Lynne Bradshaw reacted angrily to claims it was misusing taxpayers' money.
Upper House Shooters and Fishers MP Rick Mazza moved in Parliament on Wednesday to establish an inquiry into the RSPCA.
He wants an investigation into how it uses its unique powers to charge people over animal welfare breaches and how it spends State funds.
Mr Mazza's call was supported by Agriculture Minister Ken Baston, who suggested during debate the RSPCA was not subject to enough oversight and appeared to be motivated by ideology rather than "science and firm policy".
A separate Government review of how the State regulates animal welfare is due to report by August.
The RSPCA launched an advertising campaign this week referring to recreational shooters as "trophy hunters".
Ms Bradshaw said yesterday that claims the RSPCA was somehow misusing taxpayers' funds by running the campaign were "absolutely wrong" and the $500,000 it received from the State was accounted for.
She said critics' accusations were invariably baseless and ignorant and flew in the face of public support for the RSPCA.
In a rebuff to Mr Baston, Mr Barnett poured cold water on the push for an inquiry and said that though he disagreed with some of the RSPCA's positions, it "does a good job".
"It's a highly respected organisation," Mr Barnett, an RSPCA patron, told ABC radio.
"It cares for abandoned and injured animals in shelters."
However, the Premier did appear to leave the door open to supporting a recreational hunting trial in national parks and nature reserves after an Upper House committee recommended the move.
He said though he was not convinced such a trial could be done safely, he was willing to listen to the arguments in favour, noting that introduced pests such as cats and wild pigs were a major environmental problem in WA.
