Dogs at risk as hot car laws languish in Parliament

EVERY year in NSW, authorities receive hundreds of calls about animals left in hot vehicles.

Temperatures inside a car can rise to dangerous levels and can rapidly reach more than double the outside temperature – even on mild days.

Tinting, parking in the shade or leaving the windows open do not help to reduce the inside temperature significantly, according to the RSPCA.

It also warns that dogs travelling on the back of utes can burn their footpads or bodies on the tray, as these can get very hot in the sun.

In May, the NSW Government introduced legislation to make it illegal to leave a dog unattended in a hot car.

“The Minns Government is delivering on our election commitment to improve animal welfare standards and outcomes so that we can all be satisfied that our laws reflect the contemporary expectations of our community,” said Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty, when introducing the legislation to Parliament.

“The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Enforcement and Operational Powers) Bill 2026 will modernise enforcement powers to ensure NSW’s animal welfare laws reflect community expectations by increasing the level of penalties, introducing new offences for unacceptable behaviours and strengthening existing protections.

“This Government has been clear in both words and actions that protecting animals and promoting good welfare outcomes are priorities.”

Despite the Minister’s promise, and the approach of a hot summer, the proposed laws are languishing in the NSW Legislative Assembly, with no timeline being given for them to become law.

NOTA asked the Minister for an explanation for the delay by the Government on delivering on legislation that was said to be a priority.

“Due to the blocking tactics of the Opposition, the NSW Government currently has over 30 Bills in the NSW Parliament that have been introduced on a range of vital matters including reform of the Veterinary industry and increasing powers for Fisheries Officers,” Ms Moriarty said.

“The NSW Government has delivered on its election commitment to review POCTAA and is calling on the NSW Opposition to engage with the Bill constructively and pass it.”

However, Greens MP Sue Higginson took issue with the Minister’s explanation.

“You don’t get to blame the opposition for not getting legislation through the Parliament when you’re the government, and with the Greens you have the numbers to pass laws,” she said.

“The government has managed the business in the Parliament very poorly this term.

“If they had worked more collaboratively and strategically with the Greens, they could have passed all progressive laws, particularly these animal cruelty laws.”

By John WATTS