Who we are
The Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations to create systemic change for animals.
Our Core Member Organisations
Formerly Humane Society International
We bring together Australia’s leading animal protection organisations representing over 2 million supporters
Our aim is to create an independent animal welfare policy system that works for animals, not against them. Through our programs we lead sector-wide support for crucial reforms, hold decision-makers to account, and bring our members and allies together to strengthen the representation of animals.
Our People
The Alliance team is made up of some of Australia’s most experienced advocates with expertise in animal welfare law, science, policy, and communications. The team is supported by a highly skilled and independent board.
Dr Jed Goodfellow
Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
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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.
Dr Bidda Jones AM
Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, STRATEGY
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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.
April Broadbent
CAMPAIGNER – BETTER CHICKEN COMMITMENT
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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.
Benjamin Anderson
POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD - NEW SOUTH WALES
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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.
Nadia Kiternas
CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
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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.
Joshua Stagg
POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD - VICTORIA
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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.
Christine van Horen
OPERATIONS AND FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR
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Christine joined the Alliance in January 2023 as the Operations and Fundraising Coordinator. With over 10 years of experience in the animal protection sector - including an eight-year tenure at Eurogroup for Animals in Belgium - she specialises in events management and organisational development. Her prior background as a paralegal and Contracts Manager provides a robust foundation for her current work in fundraising and operations.
Christine’s broad skill set and extensive international background make her a key asset to the team as she supports the Alliance’s mission and growth.
Christine lives on Gayemagal country in Sydney.
Alliance for Animals board
Dr Kate Blaszak
CHAIR
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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
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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
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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.
Dr Merriden Varrall
DIRECTOR
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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.
Why the Alliance?
In Australia, the systems we use to create laws and policies concerning animal welfare are broken. Government processes are not keeping up with community expectations or contemporary animal welfare science.
Australian animals deserve better.
They deserve action to end cruel practices, and a decision-making process that ensures their interests are heard and respected.
This is why the Alliance was created.
We are working to change the system by creating a more balanced and independent governance structure - one which better represents and safeguards the interests of animals.
Australian Alliance for Animals Co-Founders
(left to right: Dr Meg Good, Dr Bidda Jones AM, Dr Jed Goodfellow)