Interested in Animal Ethics in Schools? Reach Out to Register

The Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee (QSAEC) currently has vacancies for categories C and D members and has reached out to Wildlife Queensland to locate potential members in the Brisbane area.

 

Looking for a Challenge?

The QSAEC was established to assist Queensland schools to meet their legal obligations under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, (the Code). Further information on the QSAEC is available at https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/stages-of-schooling/animals-in-education/QSAEC.

Members volunteer their time, and the Committee meets 4 times a year at 30 Mary Street in Brisbane’s CBD for approximately 2½ to 3 hours. (Parking can be arranged.) There will be a few hours of pre-reading for the meetings, and meeting papers are usually emailed in a timely fashion. Also, if unexpected events are reported to the Secretariat, these are emailed to the Committee for consideration approximately every 6 weeks. If appointed, you must be prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement.

 

Criteria for a Category C Member

The criteria for qualifying as an Animal Ethics Committee category C member are:

Category C

A person meets the criteria for ‘demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals’ if they can show they are a:

    • registered wildlife carer – preferably by demonstrating membership of a recognised wildlife carer organisation (e.g. WIRES)
    • RSPCA inspector
    • member of, or advocate for, a recognised animal welfare/advocate group (e.g. RSPCA, Animals AustraliaVoiceless, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland ).

A category C member might be involved in the following activities, but these activities alone do not meet the ‘welfare criteria’ for category C:

    • history of meeting animal welfare requirements for animals for which the person had an industry, professional or commercial responsibility (e.g. farmer, zookeeper)
    • pet or other animal ownership
    • participation on other animal welfare or ethics committees (e.g. Animal Welfare Committee, other AEC (i.e. having been a B member of one AEC doesn’t meet the criterion for being a C member on another AEC)).

 

Criteria for a Category D Member

As mentioned, the Committee also has Category D vacancies. If you know anyone who might be suitable (with reference to the qualifying criteria below), please encourage them to contact the QSAEC Secretariat by email at animal.ethics@qed.qld.gov.au by Friday 21 January 2022.

The criteria for qualifying as an Animal Ethics Committee category D member are:

Category D

A person meets category D criteria if they specifically state that they don’t meet the requirements for either category A (a person who holds a degree registerable in Australia as a veterinary surgeon), B (a person who has recent experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities) or C (a person who has a demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals).

An absence or omission of information suggesting the member does/could meet the criterion (absence of evidence) is not sufficient – a definitive statement (evidence of absence) is required.
 

How to register your interest

If you are interested in nominating to become a QSAEC member, please email desboyland@wildlife.org.au providing a brief statement about your suitability for the role according to the criteria by Wednesday 19 January 2022. With your approval, your details will then be forwarded to staff in the Queensland Education Department.

 

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