Long-promised animal cruelty prevention laws quietly shelved by Victorian government
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
The Victorian government has indefinitely shelved promised animal cruelty prevention laws nearly a decade after pledging them, without public announcement.
AI Summary
The Victorian government has indefinitely shelved promised animal cruelty prevention laws that would have recognized all animals as sentient beings and raised care requirements, according to an exclusive report. The legislation, pledged nearly a decade ago, will not be introduced before the state election. The Labor bill was designed to address cases such as animals left in squalid conditions or subjected to physical abuse—incidents that have drawn public outcry but sometimes resulted in minimal legal consequences. By shelving the reforms, the government is abandoning a long-standing commitment to strengthen protections for animals in the state. The decision comes as Victoria approaches an election, suggesting the government has deprioritized the issue despite years of advocacy.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Civil RightsBill Cosby Loses Sex Assault Lawsuit and Faces a $19 Million Judgment
A California jury found that Mr. Cosby had abused Donna Motsinger in 1972 after inviting her to attend one of his comedy shows.
Government TransparencyDOJ settles Flynn malicious prosecution lawsuit
The Justice Department (DOJ) has settled a lawsuit from President Trump’s former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, over claims he was wrongfully prosecuted for making false statements to the FBI during its probe of Russia’s ties to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. The agreement resolves a 2023 lawsuit in which Flynn cast the…
CorporateJudge dismisses lawsuit by Musk's X Corp accusing advertisers of illegal boycott - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxOT2VwSDN4MExaenc2TXhFZVhIQ1B0ekI4SFkxM3BRREdXcU1Pc3FoWmtYcmxTOElGREJGN0I3SjVsdWhWTlBqRGVUVjYwT3lkaVBZbjJkZzdpZlBLMV8zUU1jRGRvWkw5R2JkQS1iZlFWQ3FmeWpGN3g2WUpUUDNSeWx2TG9YcnBNSC14LUQyVktzTG5SWFRpcE1JQy00d084REppV2l2Qi00SjU0cm4wR2JFSVpMVHN5cHc?oc=5" target="_blank">Judge dismisses lawsuit by Musk's X Corp accusing advertisers of illegal boycott</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Government TransparencyJustice Department settles lawsuit from Trump ally Michael Flynn for $1.2 million, AP source says - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxPVUgwdTNpVlJZYkllRDJDVUdtcHVudzUxRFVrWUJlSU1HTUh2UGlTYTVDcTY1Mkd6aVJ0ek15N1JMQmhoOUc0X2hJNkxFUjl6WnNSM3NWdjZoZFhWZ1pjTmdpQXVZQ1laU0tzNGMxUEtZZF9kTmJULXBaT2Z5OEZJVEI1ZEdHeW5uUEFTMW55ckgwNTRxd2hRelJ2VFBTUzlyd29VNFNxWFY?oc=5" target="_blank">Justice Department settles lawsuit from Trump ally Michael Flynn for $1.2 million, AP source says</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyPentagon revises rules for journalists after lawsuit loss, raising press group's ire
<p>The Department of Defense announced a new media policy on Monday, three days after a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/judge-blocks-pentagons-press-policy" target="_blank">federal judge ruled</a> Trump administration restrictions on Pentagon journalists were a First Amendment violation.</p><p><strong>The big picture: </strong>The Pentagon said in a <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2026/Mar/23/2003902148/-1/-1/1/IMPLEMENTATION-OF-REVISED-MEDIA-IN-BRIEF.PDF" target="_blank">memorandum</a> announcing the changes that it's complying with the ruling in the New York Times' lawsuit, but press groups accused the Trump administration of placing fresh restrictions on journalists with the new policy.</p><hr><p><strong>Zoom in: </strong>Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced three new changes to the press policy in a <a href="https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4441831/statement-by-chief-pentagon-spokesman-sean-parnell-on-implementation-of-revised/" target...
FinanceMeta shares drop on fears US verdicts open door to deluge of lawsuits - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxQSWVSbzlGUFpXUkFyV1N0Rm5TVWJWN1lnR0dONzBfWVpTV3lIeUJQZE5mQjhuWlY1SldQWlpicTRoX3NNcFV4cVRabTdkMWVwZkNBWjhkZ244Ulh3OFk1eDRQZ01HVF9ySlZ6X1F1bjI3QWZXSHpKTDJIRGlBeDlhYVRUQmU5X0hhUTEwTmY2TEh5Wk94VEE4amJtVzc3a1hMUHd2c3VjbE1PQjZQZTFUNVBkazFnVm9hZnhpSkloeFpjdw?oc=5" target="_blank">Meta shares drop on fears US verdicts open door to deluge of lawsuits</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
"Undeniable harm": When ICE comes to town, students stay home
<p>Several school systems in areas targeted most aggressively by <a href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">President Trump</a>'s immigration crackdowns have seen dramatic increases in student absences, Axios has found.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Enrollment data in Charlotte, Chicago, Minneapolis, California, Florida and Texas show thousands of students were suddenly absent when ICE came to town — the latest signs of how the raids have rippled through communities.</p><hr><ul><li>The figures also indicate Trump's push to intimidate unauthorized immigrants into leaving communities on their own often has led entire families to depart, even those including youngsters in the U.S. legally.</li><li>"ICE tactics are causing undeniable harm to students — harm that will likely lead to years of trauma in school communities," more than 70 House Democrats wrote in a recent <a href="https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/imo/media/doc/scott_bonamici_...
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires
Pentagon's limits on press access unconstitutional, US judge rules - Reuters
Washington ignores America's fiscal cliff
