Submission workshop: Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), and they want to hear from you. This renewal is a landmark opportunity to influence Australia's national approach to animal welfare.
We’re hosting an online submission writing workshop at 6 pm on Monday 6th May to help you provide feedback to the Discussion Paper. Together, we can advocate for reforms to ensure the new strategy works for animals, not against them.
Submissions close on 31 May 2024.
Register for the workshop below
What is the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy?
The renewal of the AAWS seeks to create a unified national framework based on scientific research, evidentiary standards, and the expectations of the community. Although the Discussion Paper outlines various challenges within the current framework, it does not comprehensively address the fundamental systemic issues plaguing Australia's animal welfare system. Critical among these is the prevalence of conflicts of interest, the absence of independent oversight, and exemptions in welfare standards, which leave certain species unprotected. To truly reform and strengthen our approach to animal welfare, these core deficiencies must be addressed, ensuring all animals receive the protection and consideration they deserve.
Why should you lodge a submission?
The AAWS is more than just a policy document, and its renewal will form the foundation of a national approach to animal welfare strategy. Its previous iteration expired in 2014, leaving a void that we now have the chance to fill with a robust, evidence-based framework that reflects contemporary scientific knowledge and community. This is an important opportunity to advocate for a fairer system for animals and have your voice heard by those who will decide the future of Australia’s animal welfare system.
What will the submission writing workshop cover?
During the workshop, Alliance for Animals Co-Founders, Dr Jed Goodfellow and Dr Bidda Jones will discuss:
the importance of the AAWS renewal and how it can be a vehicle for change,
how we can all use this opportunity to call for the #FairGoForAnimals reform goals,
how to use Alive AI's submission co-pilot to craft a compelling, well-structured submission with ease.
Workshop details:
Time: 6 pm AEST
Date: Monday 6th May 2024
Location: Online
Register for the workshop today
By attending this workshop, you're taking a definitive step towards advocating for a system that respects the sentience and welfare of animals. Don't miss out on this chance to shape Australia's national animal welfare strategy. Together, we can ensure that our collective call to reform the broken animal welfare system is not only heard but enacted.
How to make your submission
Share your views through the online survey - closes 4pm, Monday 20 May 2024
Craft a submission and upload it here - closes 4pm, Friday 31 May 2024
About the speakers:
Dr Bidda Jones
Bidda is Director of Strategy for the Alliance for Animals. A zoologist trained in animal behaviour and welfare, Bidda previously spent 25 years with RSPCA Australia, most recently as their Chief Science and Strategy Officer. She has played an instrumental role in campaigns to end live exports and the use of battery cages for layer hens and represented the interests of animals on multiple government and industry committees. Bidda is also an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney's School of Veterinary Science.
Dr Jed Goodfellow
Jed is the Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Alliance for Animals. He has over 20 years experience in animal welfare law, policy, and advocacy, having previously worked in senior policy, prosecutorial, and enforcement roles with the RSPCA across Australia. Jed has represented animals in courtrooms, parliamentary inquiries, standard setting forums, and regularly in the media. He played an integral role in the campaigns to end live exports and the use of battery cages. Jed developed Macquarie University's Animal Law unit in 2012 and has taught the course annually for the past 10 years. In 2015, Jed was awarded a PhD in animal welfare regulation. His research examined the role of agriculture departments in regulating animal welfare and provided an empirical and analytical basis for law reform proposals to establish new animal welfare governance models in Australia.