Role and objectives of the Inspector-General

The Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports (IGAWLAE) is an independent statutory officer responsible for reviewing the actions and reporting of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as the regulator for the export of livestock.

At the start of each financial year, the Inspector-General creates a work plan which outlines the reviews they will be conducting for the next 12 months. The Inspector-General is responsible for initiating and conducting the reviews in the work plan. The Minister may also direct the Inspector-General to conduct a particular review.

In relation to the export of livestock, the IGAWLAE monitors, investigates and reports on the implementation of animal welfare and live animal export legislation and standards by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with the intention of:

• promoting continual improvements in the regulatory practice, performance and culture of the department
• providing an additional layer of accountability and assurance of the regulation of Australia’s livestock exports
• ensuring livestock export officials consider the welfare of animals when performing functions and exercising their powers
• increasing accountability, regulatory compliance and transparency with Australia’s livestock export legislation and standards

The IGAWLAE’s role does not include:

• consideration of a single performance of a function, or a single exercise of a power, by a single livestock export official
• live animal exports not considered livestock under ASEL e.g. cats and dogs, birds, horses
• animal welfare issues covered under state and territory legislation
• development and implementation of animal welfare policies

How you can help

Stakeholders provide a valuable source of information for the IGAWLAE in the formation and content of reviews. Individual reviews often allow for public submissions and stakeholders are informed of these opportunities by e-mail. To stay informed, you can request to be added to the email distribution list by contacting the IGAWLAE office.

Public submissions are collected through the department’s Have Your Say web platform and direct submissions to the IGAWLAE email are also welcome.

All submissions can be made confidentially.

2024-25

Dr Katherine Clift was appointed Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports on 30 September 2024.

This page will be updated with a schedule of reviews for the 2024-25 financial year in due course.