Authorised by Jed Goodfellow on behalf of the Australian Alliance for Animals, 2 Paddington Street, Paddington, NSW 2021.

Our scorecards let you know where parties and candidates stand on six key reform issues for animals.

Stronger Animal Welfare Act

Expediate the development of a new Animal Welfare Act, including recognition of animal sentience in the objects of the Act and criteria for the development and adoption of codes and standards under the Act to ensure they are based on contemporary science, reflect community expectations, and do not prescribe practices that are inconsistent with the objects, principles and duties outlined in the Act. 

State Animal Welfare Authority

Establish a NSW Animal Welfare Authority as an independent statutory body under the new Animal Welfare Act with responsibility for administering the Act with an appropriate budget allocation to ensure adequate resourcing. (Note: this would not replace RSPCA and Animal Welfare League inspectors – they would report to the Authority).

Ministerial portfolio recognition of animal welfare 

Elevate the importance of animal welfare within Government by recognising animal welfare within the title of a ministerial portfolio separate to the agriculture portfolio. (Note: partial tick available for including animal welfare in the title of an assistant ministerial portfolio).

Phase out battery cages 
Introduce legislation to implement the phase out of conventional battery cages in the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry with an end date of 2030. 

End native forest logging

Protect the welfare of threatened species such as koalas, greater gliders and gang-gang cockatoos by implementing a planned transition away from native forest logging to a sustainable timber industry.

End puppy farming
Introduce legislation consistent with the Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2021 to end puppy farming.