A small protest was held on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House at 1pm on Thursday, 19 June, calling for government intervention in an ongoing animal welfare case in Mt Eliza.
The demonstration was organised by Hastings resident Tracey Asquith, who described the event as a “snap protest” aimed at urging Agriculture Minister Ros Spence to take action to have the animals seized from the property.
“We need help,” Ms Asquith said in a statement following the protest. “The RSPCA Victoria has failed those animals. Before any more die and are dragged into burn pits, we need help.”
Ms Asquith added:
“I have confidence that the Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, will have a positive impact on the Mt Eliza neglected animal case soon. I believe that peaceful protest is still the best option in our fabulous country. I’m just grateful that we have the power to effect change peacefully, unlike other failing democracies.”
Ms Asquith told STPL News that Georgie Purcell MP—who is sponsoring a petition in the Upper House related to the Mt Eliza case—spoke with the group outside Parliament. Petitions for both houses of Parliament were available for members of the public to sign during the demonstration.
The protest follows ongoing public concern regarding the treatment of animals at a Mt Eliza property owned by former horse trainer Maxine Fraser. The RSPCA has been called to the property multiple times over the past decade, with complaints ranging from malnourished horses to poor living conditions.
Ms Fraser, who was banned from horse racing in 2012, has denied wrongdoing, claiming supply issues and financial hardship have contributed to the animals’ condition. Recent community-led protests in Mt Eliza have been held for several weekends, with locals alleging systemic neglect and inaction by authorities.
Neither RSPCA Victoria nor the Victorian Government has issued a public response to the protest at the time of publication.
Why won’t the authorities do anything? Surely these animals should not be left to further suffering!