It’s time for a Fair Go for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is committed to reforming the animal welfare governance system in Australia.
Australia’s current animal welfare governance system is structurally flawed. There are conflicts of interest among those in power, inconsistencies across states and territories, loopholes in laws, and standards that ignore science and community expectations.
The Fair Go for Animals campaign proposes a six-point reform framework designed to build a fair and independent animal welfare governance system in Australia.
The Alliance is leading a multi-faceted strategy to achieve the reform goals.
The Alliance for Animals is currently leading direct engagement with policymakers, coordinating a coalition of animal welfare organisations, lobbying governments, and harnessing public support through awareness campaigns.
Our evidence-based advocacy includes the creation of research reports and policy briefings, presenting proposals to government forums, and hosting seminars and workshops to promote the reforms.
We’re also leveraging media to keep animal welfare in the national conversation, ensuring that the government and stakeholders are continually reminded of the urgent need for reform.
Image: Farm Transparency Project
Why do we need to reform the animal welfare governance system?
The system is rigged against animals.
Decision-makers are plagued by conflicts of interest, and animal use industries have unacceptable influence over government.
Animal welfare science is being ignored.
Under the law, decision-makers don't have to consider science when creating standards that impact on the lives of millions of animals.
The public's views aren't being taken seriously.
Australians who care about animal welfare deserve to have their views heard and reflected in animal welfare law and policy.
We're lagging behind the rest of the world.
Australia's animal welfare standards received a low ‘D’ ranking under the global Animal Protection Index.
Animals deserve better.
Animals should be treated in a way that respects their sentience and protects their welfare.
What are the Fair Go for Animals reforms?
Ministerial recognition
Create Ministers for Animal Welfare to remove conflicts of interest.
National Animal Welfare Commission
Establish a National Animal Welfare Commission to make the system truly independent.
Animal Welfare Authorities
Create state Animal Welfare Authorities to ensure the interests of animals are upheld under law.
Decision-making principles & sentience recognition
Introduce guiding decision-making principles into animal welfare legislation, and recognise animals as sentient beings with intrinsic value.
Fair and accountable animal welfare standards processes
Create fair and accountable animal welfare standards and decision-making processes.
Adequate funding
Allocate proper funding for animal welfare services in line with community expectations.
Building a fairer Australia for animals
Read the Alliance for Animals approach to fixing Australia’s broken animal welfare system.
How can you help?
By supporting a #FairGoForAnimals, you are joining a movement that seeks to transform Australia’s animal welfare system into one that truly respects and protects the wellbeing of animals.
By lending your voice, you help ensure that animals are no longer sidelined by legislation that prioritises commercial interests over their wellbeing. Together, we can create a future where animal welfare laws are a true reflection of our society's compassion and respect for all creatures.
Add your name today.
Learn more
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The Fair Go For Animals campaign proposes a clear 6-point framework to overhaul Australia’s animal welfare governance system. This initiative aims to build a fair and independent system that enhances the protection and welfare of animals in Australia. A “fair go for animals” means treating them in a way that respects their sentience and protects their welfare.
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The Fair Go for Animals campaign was initiated to address inherent flaws in Australia’s animal welfare governance system. The way the system is designed fails to separate the promotion of animal use industries from the protection of animal welfare. This fundamental conflict of interest arises because the responsibility for animal welfare is assigned to agriculture departments and ministers, whose primary role is to support industries that profit from animal use. This leads to a range of associated problems including significant loopholes that permit outdated practices, insufficient recognition of animal sentience, and low prioritisation for welfare needs, and inconsistent policies across states and territories. This structural flaw undermines the independence needed in decision-making to truly safeguard animal welfare. It represents one of the most significant barriers to progress for animal welfare in Australia and it must be dismantled.
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Australians should support the Fair Go for Animals campaign because it seeks to align our animal welfare policies with the public’s expectations for fairness, compassion, and protection of animals. This initiative aims to democratise animal welfare and ensure it becomes a priority in policy making.
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The six reforms will provide a comprehensive framework that better protects animals from cruelty by removing conflicts of interest and ensuring their interests are a primary consideration in all related decisions.
By setting stronger standards, enforcing stricter regulations, and funding the necessary initiatives, Australia has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of billions of animals.
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Fair Go for Animals is endorsed by a wide range of national and international organisations, businesses, and individuals who all understand the significance of these reform goals. Overhauling the current system will improve the lives of all animals in Australia.
FAQs about a Fair Go for Animals
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Animal welfare policy barometer 2023
The barometer presents and evaluates the findings of a representative national survey conducted by BehaviourWorks Australia exploring Australian attitudes and beliefs about animal welfare policy.
