Disclaimer: The information displayed on this website is the result of an independent review. Animal Care Australia is a non-partisan organisation. Animal Care Australia does not have any commercial, financial or political affiliation with any party and the ratings of organisations/political parties, does not constitute endorsement by Animal Care Australia and is not intended to imply, directly or indirectly, that those organisations and parties endorse or have any affiliation or influence with Animal Care Australia.
As we all know ANIMAL RIGHTS IS NOT ANIMAL WELFARE.
Sadly Federal political parties and independent representatives either have little (or no) animal welfare policies, while those with animal related policies are predominantly animal rights policies AND NOT animal welfare. The inclusion of the animal rights agenda in those Parties' policies highlights just how far they have been hoodwinked or are prepared to go to hoodwink the voting public..So, how do you decide on who is the best Party or Candidate to support you and your pets?
From a political perspective this election result will likely see a ‘hung parliament’. This means the major Party that receives more votes will be reliant on the support from the other Parties and Independents/Teals potentially providing an assortment of influences with the ability to control how parliament will be run.
This is dangerous especially when we consider the strength of the parties with animal rights policies. Recent polling suggests The Greens will be positioned in a deciding position as they will hold the next greatest number of seats after Labor and the Liberal/National Coalition.
How you vote will be of utmost importance if animal WELFARE is one of your deciding factors, especially given you will need to vote for a minimum of six (6) candidates across the top line of the large ballot paper.
Ensuring the right vote for the ‘others’ is crucial to ensuring your rights to keep, breed and work with pets and animals can be maintained.
For the purpose of not having to repeat & clarify, ‘animal welfare policies’ relates to pet, companion animals, or policies directly affecting exhibited (on display) animals. Animal Care Australia’s purview does not include animals involved in the racing industry, until those animals are rehomed as companions, or the live export/transport of commercial livestock.
It should be noted several animal rights/protection organisations have created charts of ‘their’ policies and highlight the parties that either do or might support them. These charts are not an indication that the ‘supporting’ parties have an actual policy themselves.
Firstly, the current Labor government is in the process of reviewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. This review is due to be completed in 2027. There is currently NO committed funding to implement the findings or to further develop any species specific Standards or Codes of Practice. Labor is still utilising their 2023 National Platform which does not include any policies related to the keeping of pet/companions.
The Liberal Party have no animal-based policies (except renewing live export).
The Nationals have their usual Primary Industries policies but no other animal welfare or pet specific policies. A point to note is the inclusion of: “NSW Nationals have acted quickly to protect agricultural properties from rural crime and dissuade criminal activities from animal activists.”
The Australian Greens Party does have a page dealing with ‘animal welfare‘. The majority of the policies are focussed on livestock, the racing industry and seeking an Independent Office of Animal Welfare. It should be noted the details of each highlight an animal rights ideology rather than real animal welfare policy.
The Animal Justice Party has a gauntlet of animal-based policies (as you’d expect).
- When just focussing on pet/companion animal policies it is important to note the abolishment of the property status of animals,
- phase out the breeding of animals with harmful genetic problems and heritable defects. This is notably important as almost all species have genetic or heritable defects.
- Repeal breed-specific legislation throughout Australia will be disastrous for animal owners.
- Require “pet” shops to keep only rescue animals for adoption.
- End the intensive breeding of companion animals? What defines intensive breeding?
- Prevent businesses from calling themselves “registered breeders” – especially concerning for Victoria where dog and cat breeders are called Domestic Animal Businesses by state legislation AND a requirement is that they ARE registered breeders.
- Exhibited Animals don’t miss out on being banned either, with a number of policies against all forms of so-called animals used in entertainment including zoos, carriage-riding, recreational fishing and much more.
The Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party ironically has an animal rights policy which is in fact an anti-animal rights policy but it has no specific policies relating to pets.
Looking at the Jacquie Lambie Network, One Nation, Libertarian and others including the Independents all do not have any listed policies relating to pets and companion animals.
Ordinarily Animal Care Australia would rate the parties according to their animal welfare policies – given there aren’t any ‘real’ animal welfare policies – we are unable to do that.
To keep in mind: Major parties and some Independents rely heavily on advice provided by the RSPCA and ignore consultation from other key stakeholders. Several of those stakeholders have attempted to highlight the flawed and misleading advice being provided by the RSPCA – to no avail. Yet they support the RSPCA without question. That is concerning for Animal Care Australia.
For information about Animal Welfare: https://www.animalcareaustralia.org.au/aca-welfare-policies/
For information about Animal Rights and Animal Protection: https://www.animalcareaustralia.org.au/aca-welfare-policies/animal-welfare-vs-animal-rights/
Why does Animal Care Australia not support this current use of ‘animal protection’?
Because animal protection is generally seen to be the combination of both animal welfare and animal rights.
Why is that a problem?
Because the two are like oil and water – they don’t mix. You cannot have legislation (law) that continues to allow animals under human care/ownership while the animal rights is advocating to liberate animals from being used by humans at all. The term ‘Animal Protection’ on its own is oxymoronic.
