The Australian Alliance for Animals has today revealed the positions of parties and independents on key animal welfare issues ahead of the federal election.
If re-elected, Labor will ban the importation of trophies from 20 of the most hunted species of exotic wildlife, including the American black bear, brown bear, cougar, giraffe, Canada lynx, wolf, polar bear, hippopotamus, vervet monkey, chacma baboon and more.
Labor, the Greens, and a long list of prominent independents also vowed to uphold the legislative phase out of live sheep exports in the new term of parliament.
Senator David Pocock, Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps, Rebekha Sharkie and others, as well as potential new independents including Caz Heise in Cowper and Nicolette Boele in Bradfield, all pledged to support the phase out in the wake of threats by the Coalition to repeal the legislation.
Labor has also promised to strengthen national oversight of animal welfare standards in export abattoirs by expanding the functions of the Inspector-General of Animal Welfare, prioritise investment in the implementation of the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, and promote animal welfare in international trade agreements.
Australian Alliance for Animals Policy Director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the positive responses received from the parties and candidates to the Alliance's policy scorecards was evidence that animal welfare mattered to voters, echoing the results of a 2023 BehaviourWorks survey.
"Despite cost-of-living pressures and international uncertainty, animal welfare remains important to Australians, and we're seeing this reflected in the parties' positions,
"These are common sense policies that will be warmly welcomed by the Australian community,
"With over 90% of Australians believing animal welfare is important and supporting laws that ensure animals are provided with a good quality of life, strong animal welfare policies are a great way for parties and candidates to show people they care,
"Together with our members, we will be making sure as many Australians as possible see our scorecards so they know which parties and candidates share their values."
Quotes from Alliance members:
"It's really pleasing to see so much support for animal welfare from the parties and candidates. Humane World for Animals Australia has been advocating for a ban on trophy hunting imports for many years. Australians are appalled by the practice so I know this announcement will be very popular," Nicola Beynon, Head of Campaigns, Humane World for Animals Australia (formerly Humane Society International).
"A commitment to national leadership on animal welfare is welcome and long overdue. A renewed animal welfare strategy will allow Australia to modernise its animal welfare systems and move away from cruel and outdated practices that FOUR PAWS has long campaigned against. It's time for our policy and systems to better reflect the values of the community," Rebecca Linigen, National Director, FOUR PAWS Australia.
"Animals Australia has been exposing the inherent cruelty of the cruel live sheep export trade for decades so we welcome the strong commitment of the parties and candidates to defend and uphold the legislative phase out in the new parliament," Glenys Oogjes, CEO, Animals Australia.
"Our national animal welfare standards are failing to keep pace with international best practice, and that is harming animals as well as our global trade reputation. We're really pleased to see the Labor Party committing to developing an animal welfare trade policy and supporting the recognition of animal welfare in international trade agreements," Ben Pearson, Country Director, World Animal Protection Australia.
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