End the Moruya Rodeo Licence

Why are we asking for your help to terminate or publicly review the Rodeo Association of Moruya Inc. licence?

Between December 2022 and January 2023, more than 1,800 caring people lodged submissions with Eurobodalla Shire Council (‘ESC’) to object to them approving another 5-year Rodeo Licence Agreement with the Rodeo Association of Moruya Inc (‘Association’).

Animal Liberation’s agents documented the 2023 New Year's Day (‘NYD’) Moruya rodeo event and lodged a formal complaint with extensive footage with RSPCA NSW detailing our allegations of animal cruelty. We then provided all Councillors with a copy of some of our footage, which included visions of a steer who almost tore off his horn while in the chute. 

On 28 March 2023, during a ESC public meeting forum, the President of the Rodeo Association of Moruya Inc and the CEO of the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association made factually inaccurate statements in relation to the steer’s injury and vet treatment. We believe his statement was possibly designed to sway the decision-makers. Unfortunately, despite your and our very best efforts, 6 out of 9 ESC Councillors approved the Moyura Rodeo Licence Agreement at the 28 March 2023 council meeting.

Association breached the NSW Code of Practice twice.

Following this meeting, Animal Liberation lodged an Application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), with RSPCA NSW, to learn about the outcome of their investigation of our complaint. Our successful GIPA confirmed RSPCA NSW applied two financial penalties known as a Personal Infringement Notice (‘PIN’), for two breaches of the NSW Code of Practice for animals used in rodeo events from the NYD rodeo event and our formal complaint about the injured steer.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time any animal welfare infringement has been applied to a NSW rodeo event.

The two RSPCA NSW infringements included: 

1. Animal not fit to load

• Proprietor/management did not comply with requirements of clause – individual

• Individual admitted to transporting steer without vet advice

  2. Animal not seen by a veterinarian

• Admitted not seeking a veterinarian to examine the injured steer as a matter of priority that night or next day and not before transporting hours the next day.

Animal Liberation called on council to terminate the licence

Animal Liberation then formally requested ESC review the Moruya Rodeo Licence Agreement with a view to terminate the Agreement because the Agreement ‘Conditions’ were breached and we maintain that there is no way to ensure any meaningful protection of animals exploited in these rodeo events.

A lawyer acting on behalf of council has since advised us in writing “Council is not in a position to terminate or rescind the Agreement in the manner that you suggest. Consequently, the matter will not be brought to public meeting. I reassure you that Council takes such matters seriously and has communicated the same to the Licensee.”

Never giving up, we then addressed the councillors during Public Access on Tuesday 5 December 2023 to further advocate for a formal and transparent council-managed Moruya Rodeo Licence Agreement review.

We maintain that the Licence Agreement should be terminated or, at a bare minimum the matter should go back on public exhibition to ensure stricture and enforceable Conditions are included in the Licence Agreement. We also contend that the council is accountable for all decision-making, especially in regard to events held on public land and where the welfare of animals is concerned. The NSW State Ombudsman’s ‘Good Conduct and Administrative Practice’ Guidelines for State and Local Government, require councils to give reasons for decisions; and provide a framework for monitoring and enforcement of conditions, (such as those contained in licences).

Now we need your help.

We need to remind ESC decision-makers that animal welfare and related decision-making is a serious matter and when Agreement Conditions are breached and flaws are exposed, they have a clear obligation to review the Agreement and take decisive action.