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The Guardian - AU

National

Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondent

Animals to be recognised as sentient beings under proposed Victorian cruelty laws

Victoria Victorian Georgie Purcell ACT Guardian Australia

An octopus — Octopuses and other species will be formally recognised as sentient under proposed animal cruelty legislation in Victoria. Photograph: tane-mahuta/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Victorian government will follow the Australian Capital Territory and could become the first Australian state to recognise that animals are sentient beings, under a draft overhaul of cruelty laws to be released in the coming weeks.

Guardian Australia understands a long-awaited draft of the animal care and protection act will be released for public consultation next month, before a final bill is tabled in parliament in 2024.

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