About the Australian Alliance for Animals

We are a national animal welfare charity dedicated to reforming the systems, laws, and policies that affect animals in Australia.

We lead a strategic alliance of Australia’s leading animal protection organisations – representing over 2 million people – to increase our collective impact for animals.

Together, we’re transforming Australia’s animal welfare system into one that is fair, independent, and built to protect animals.

Building a fairer system for animals

One of the greatest barriers to making progress for animals is not a lack of public concern but the outdated governance structures responsible for creating animal welfare policy, standards, and laws. No single organisation can transform those systems alone.

The Alliance was created because Australia's leading animal protection organisations recognised that systemic reform demands a united voice. By bringing the movement together, we strengthen our collective influence, build political power, and are better equipped to challenge the powerful vested interests that too often stand in the way of progress.

While many organisations focus on individual animal welfare issues or frontline rescue and care, the Alliance focuses on transforming the policies, laws, institutions and decision-making processes that determine outcomes for millions of animals.

By changing the system itself, we can create the foundations for a fairer, more compassionate society where the interests of animals are reflected within our systems of government.

WHY THE ALLIANCE?

Meet the team

The Alliance team brings together expertise in animal welfare law, public policy, government relations, science, communications, and advocacy.

Our team works across Australia to advance animal welfare reform, build political support for change, and strengthen the representation of animals in government.

WHO WE ARE

Close-up of a man in a blue suit and white shirt standing outdoors in front of green bushes.

Dr Jed Goodfellow

Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Dr Jed Goodfellow BA/LLB (Hons), GDLP, PhD leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda and government relations work. 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. Jed lives in Sydney on Gadigal country.

Woman with short gray hair wearing white glasses and a dark blue shirt, outdoors with green leafy background.

Dr Bidda Jones AM

Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, STRATEGY

Dr Bidda Jones AM BSc (Hons), GDipPub, PhD, GAICD leads the Alliance’s strategy for animal welfare and evidence-based research. A zoologist specialising in animal behaviour and welfare, Bidda previously worked for RSPCA Australia as their Chief Science and Strategy Officer, establishing the organisation’s reputation as a trusted source of animal welfare science over her 25-year tenure. 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 an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science, and has published over 35 articles, reports and books, including ‘Backlash – Australia’s conflict of values over live exports’. In 2021, Bidda was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant services to animal welfare science and advocacy. Bidda lives with her family on a conservation property on Walbanja country in southern NSW.

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and light skin, smiling, wearing a black top, standing in front of green leafy plants.

Nadia Kiternas

CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Nadia is the Alliance’s Campaigns and Communications Manager. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications, advocacy, and promotional campaigns to support the Alliance’s mission. Nadia has a background in marketing and over six years of experience working in the animal welfare and protection space. In her previous role at Animal Liberation, Nadia assisted the team with the development of campaign strategies, was responsible for the organisation’s communications to supporters, managed their social media presence, co-organised public events, and liaised with external groups to raise support for campaigns. Nadia lives on Boon Wurrung country in Melbourne.

Paul Green

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Paul is our Operations Manager responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the organisation. He is highly motivated to maximise the time the team spends on delivering our mission and minimising time spent on admin. He is passionate about AI and using data to drive system improvements.
Paul has a diverse background in operations in the not-for-profit space in Australia, Africa and the Pacific. He has worked with Save the Children in Australia, PNG and the Solomon Islands, led Air Quality monitoring projects in Uganda, and most recently was CEO of a Community organisation in Far North Queensland.
Paul lives on Yuggera and Turrbal country in Brisbane.

Young man with light skin, brown wavy hair, and a mustache, smiling, wearing a black suit and white shirt, standing in front of green leafy bushes.

Benjamin Anderson

POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD - NEW SOUTH WALES

Benjamin is the Alliance’s Policy and Government Relations Lead for NSW. He has significant experience in political advocacy and community mobilisation. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
In the past few years Benjamin has worked on policy in non-profits, the Federal Government, ANU’s School of Regulation and Global Governance and a consulting firm. He has founded and led policy advocacy projects in Canberra, Europe and the UK on a number of important issues.
Benjamin lives on Gadigal country in Sydney.

A young man with curly hair wearing a suit jacket and a collared shirt, standing in front of green foliage.

Joshua Stagg

POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD - VICTORIA

Joshua has an extensive background in policy development, advocacy and political engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Joshua worked as the Policy Officer for RSPCA Tasmania, where he worked closely with the CEO to develop broad-scale campaigns and engage in direct advocacy with members of the Tasmanian Parliament to advance animal welfare protections.
Joshua also brings significant experience in leading political movements from his term as the elected President of the University of Melbourne Student Union. As the spokesperson for over 70,000 students, he provided evidence to multiple parliamentary inquiries, met directly with numerous members of the Victorian Parliament, represented students to the University Executive and as a member of the Academic Board, and organised a broad civil society coalition to oppose restrictions upon peaceful protest.
Joshua lives on Boon Wurrung country in Melbourne.

A woman with curly red hair and glasses smiling outdoors in front of green foliage.

April Broadbent

CAMPAIGN LEAD – BETTER CHICKEN COMMITMENT

April has a background in environment campaigning, electoral campaigning, volunteer management and communications. In her previous role with the Queensland Conservation Council she co-lead the development and delivery of the public engagement side of the new Protect Beautiful Queensland campaign, including community organising, events, and digital platform management.
April lives on Yuggera and Turrbal country in Brisbane.

Meet the board

The Alliance is supported by an independent board with extensive experience across governance, law, animal protection advocacy, and organisational leadership.

WHO WE ARE

Dr Kate Blaszak

CHAIR

Dr Kate Blaszak BVSc Hons, MSc, ANZCVS (Animal Welfare) GAICD is an Australian veterinarian and Director Sustainable Proteins with Asia Research Engagement. Previously she was Global Head of Research and Animal Welfare (Animals in Farming) with World Animal Protection. She holds a MSc in International Animal Health from University of Edinburgh and examination memberships in animal welfare and epidemiology with the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Kate has led global teams, advised on strategy and conducted corporate/policy engagement with significant technical and campaign experience for animal welfare and humane and sustainable food systems. Previously, she worked with Australian and UK Governments in regulatory roles.

Anastasia Smietanka

DIRECTOR

Anastasia Smietanka BA (Hons), LLB, DML (French), Member of the Victorian Bar is a barrister and co-founder and director of the Animal Law Institute. She has been involved in the animal law movement for over seven years with leading organisations including the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel and Voiceless, the animal protection institute. She is a co-founder of Australia’s only animal law moot. In 2015, Anastasia was named as one of the most influential individuals in the not-for-profit sector by Pro Bono Australia. She has served on the board of a number of animal rescue charities, as well as formerly holding the position of National Co-ordinator of the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel. Anastasia holds degrees in Media/Communication and French from the University of Melbourne.

Maree Daniels

DIRECTOR

Maree Daniels is an experienced executive leader, specialising in communications, fundraising, community engagement, campaign management and marketing. As Client Services Director for Revolutionise International, Maree works with charities across the Australia and New Zealand region, accelerating growth through behavioural design. Maree’s previous executive management experience includes Executive Manager, Community Engagement for RSPCA WA and Fundraising and Marketing Manager with Breast Cancer Care WA. Maree is a not-for-profit specialist, driven to create change for the lives of animals, for our planet and the community by using her experience for good and inspiring others to achieve more. She is passionate about animals and has volunteered extensively for animal welfare causes.

Professional woman with short brown hair, wearing a light-colored blazer and black top, smiling against a blurred cityscape background.

Dr Merriden Varrall

DIRECTOR

Merriden Varrall BA (Hons), MAIR, PhD, MAICD is a specialist in geopolitical insights with a background in policy analysis and advice, strategic planning, and risk analysis and management. Merriden’s experience working for organisations like the Australian Government Treasury, the Australian Government Department for Family and Community Services, and the United Nations Development Programme, has given her the opportunity to pursue her passion for social justice in a wide range of challenging environments, leading diverse global teams, and successfully navigating complexities. She has also served as a Director on the boards and advisory bodies of other charities and not-for-profits. Merriden is passionate about animal welfare and using her experience to support positive and sustainable change.

Three pathways for systemic change for animals

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Building

awareness and support for animal welfare policy reform

Uniting

the sector and increasing its collective impact

Reforming

animal welfare governance and standard-setting systems

See our strategy

Putting our strategy into action

Working alongside our members and allies, we ensure animal welfare is on the political agenda across Australia.

Our work strengthens the voice of animals in public policy, builds support for stronger protections, increases government accountability, and advances reforms that improve the lives of all animals.

OUR IMPACT

See our impact

Read our 2025 Annual Report