My beacon for all of this is our state parliament, the seat of government, which demonstrates its leadership of the body politic through its celebration of equity, diversity and inclusion — commendably blind to age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective.
In other words, it includes everything except dogs.
Once again, showing the vacuity of its authentic whole self, the parliament has gone and banned a much-loved therapy dog from its precincts. And it’s a place where therapy is needed.
I refer to the 14-year-old Maltese rescue dog, Sprite, who has been accompanying his owner — an included and respected multi-ethnic parliamentary staffer — to parliament during sitting weeks, gaining the affection of politicians, staff, journalists and visitors.
Until now. Last Tuesday, Sprite’s owner was abruptly told by the parliamentary services people that it was no longer appropriate for him to be in the building.
This reminded me of the arbitrary and brutal treatment of Patch and Ted back in 2017, when their owner, Steve Herbert MP, was rounded on just because he’d treated the hounds with the respect they deserved by including them with his parliamentary driver, so he could ferry them up to Mt Macedon for the weekend.
As I observed at the time, dogs are entitled to the same comforts as their owners: if the owner happens to be a government minister with a car and driver, the dogs will enjoy that too.
The banning of Sprite has brought politicians from across the aisle together in a way that hasn’t happened since they huddled together in the parliamentary dining room to watch Neil Armstrong taking a walk on the moon. That’s what The Boss says, anyway.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said “We should free Sprite,” pointing out that his office has bring-a-pet-to-work days which make for a happier and more engaged workplace.
Our local member for Northern Victoria, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes, said “Having a cute little puppy in the parliament is certainly something that I support”, and Labor MPs Lee Tarlamis, Michael Galea and Sonja Terpstra all spoke warmly about Sprite in the Upper House last Wednesday.
Ms Terpstra spoke at length on the subject, pointing out that “having dogs in the workplace makes us all kinder and gentler people. Goodness knows we need that here in Spring Street”.
She was followed by Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who regularly brings rescued greyhounds to work in her office. “He’s an apolitical dog,” Ms Purcell said, “and it’s a great shame” he’s not allowed in parliament any longer.
Shadow Treasurer Brad Rosewell said MPs from all parties would fight to have Sprite returned, saying, “A sitting week wouldn’t be the same without Sprite. I love Sprite. Sprite is a great addition to this place.”
The Premier was a little less effusive, with an eye to any headline if she appeared too warm and fuzzy. “There’s a lot going on in the world, and I’m focused on those matters, not necessarily Sprite the dog.”
But she reminded the House that she had two dogs of her own, so I know where her heart is. Woof!
