Why advocacy doesn’t stop post-election
The final ballots are being counted as the 2025 Federal Election draws to a close, delivering a decisive Labor Party victory following weeks of campaigning and activity by politicians, activists and engaged citizens. For many, the lead up to the election is a period where politics moves from the peripherals of everyday life to the main stage as the country deliberates over its future. This election was an important signifier of Australia’s resounding support for ending live sheep export. Yet, it is after the dust of the election settles that some of the most important work for animal advocacy truly begins.
At the Alliance for Animals, we work year-round with ministers and government departments to advocate for improving animal welfare in line with community expectations and scientific evidence. It is crucial that we continue to build upon the momentum and strength built in the lead up to the election to ensure election promises are kept and animal welfare remains at the forefront of politics.
Public pressure is often still needed to trigger promised change
This election, the Labor party made several commitments to improving animal welfare if elected, bringing hope of a fairer future for millions of animals across the country. However, while being an amazing step forward, election promises are not a certainty of reform. For example, although Labor delivered on its 2022 election promise to phase out live sheep exports, it took sustained advocacy to get there. After the election, it took the new government 10 months to convene an independent panel and begin consultation with stakeholders. During this period, we formed the End Live Sheep Exports alliance to present a unified voice to government in support of the phase out throughout the 3-year term. Once the panel provided its report to government, there was a long, anxious wait for a response. As the months passed, we worked to galvanise public pressure, including organising an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking him to fulfil his election promise. Six weeks later, with the help of the crossbench in the Senate, legislation was passed to enshrine the end of live sheep export by 1 May 2028.
Image: Jo-Anne McArthur, We Animals Media
Election promises can be broken
Not all of Labor’s 2022 election commitments have been delivered with the same decisiveness. The promise to establish a federal Environmental Protection Authority, amongst other ‘Nature Positive Laws’ intended to address Australia’s rapid environmental decline, ultimately fell through. This failure has been widely attributed to coordinated lobbying efforts by mining industry groups opposing the reforms. This outcome highlights the vital role individuals and organisations play in holding governments to account, particularly when vested interests seek to undermine progress.
What we’re working for post-election
At the Alliance we understand the importance of united, strategic action. Together with our allies and supporters, we will turn our focus on to the federal government to uphold their election promises. This year the Alliance secured commitments from the Labor Party to:
Protect the live sheep export phase out
Prioritise the implementation and funding of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
Establish a formal animal welfare trade policy
Expand the trophy hunting import ban
Expand the functions of the Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports
Consider extending eligibility for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status to all animal welfare charities.
At the state level, the Alliance is continuing to press for legislative changes such as ending battery cages and establishing an Independent Office of Animal Welfare in NSW (as yet, an unfulfilled 2023 election promise by the NSW Labor Party).
How to stay involved
To keep the momentum going, it's important to stay informed and actively participate in ongoing campaigns for animals. You can do this by signing up to our mailing list, following our social channels, and attending upcoming events.
Upcoming event
Register for our post-election webinar, coming up on Thursday 29 May; where we will be breaking down in detail what happened this federal election, and what it means for animals going forward.