Exotic and Native Bird Legislation, Animal Welfare, Importation, Stolen Birds, Local Government. The List Goes On!
Your members can benefit from regular updates on issues relating to all levels of government, conservation issues plus news from other bird clubs.
VAC affiliates receive all this information. Draft legislation, discussion papers and government reports are tabled as they become available. For instance, VAC affiliates received the Code of Practice for the Housing of Cage Birds first as comments to government from the VAC, then as a draft for avicultural comment, and finally as the completed, gazetted Code of Practice. Similar consultations have occurred with state fauna regulations and with Federal exotic species legislation.

The VAC Newsletter is COPYRIGHT FREE for you to use items in your club's publication.

Through AFA (The Avicultural Federation of Australia), we have direct input into the Ministerial Advisory Committees for Exotic Species Legislation and for Live Bird Importation.

Through the VAC, your members are represented to state and Federal Governments on committees and advisory groups relevant to aviculture.

Being part of the VAC is important. Can we make a difference? YES! The VAC is built on the unity of purpose, democratic debate and consensus policy-making If we, the clubs, don't communicate and co-operate with each other, then we each battle alone on many fronts. Together, we represent many bird breeders and people take notice!
The VAC currently represents thousands of bird breeders. Your club can join the VAC. It CAN make a difference ! If your club has views, ideas, if it needs advice, help or support, then joining the VAC can make all the difference in the world - to your members.

Does the VAC make a difference? YES! The VAC:
· developed and reviewed the Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds in partnership with the government,
· had birds removed from the Feral and Nuisance Animals Act (then referred to as the Companion Animals Legislation) through its submission,
· was the first to establish a Stolen Bird Hotline,
· offers funds for avicultural projects and has a Research Fund for this purpose,
· oversees the staging of Bird Sales in Victoria,
· provides a Local Government Kit for those individuals and/or groups negotiating at that level,
· is represented where your interests are involved in the state and federal government hierarchy,
· continually negotiates with the DNRE concerning native birds.

Affiliation and the associated voting rights are open only to clubs. However, individuals can (and do!) subscribe to the bi-monthly Newsletter to keep informed of legislative issues. To subscribe, simply complete the attached form, enclose the correct payment and post it by snail mail!

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