Election 2016: Where do the parties stand on animal welfare?

LAST UPDATED: 9 June 2017

People power has put animal welfare on the political agenda and people power will keep it there! But where do the major (and minor) political parties stand on two big issues facing animals this Federal election — an Independent Office of Animal Welfare and live export?

See for yourself in this table* or to find out more about other animal welfare policies click on the links below.

Download this table

¹Labor recently announced it would establish an Independent Office of Animal Welfare if elected, however its structure is still unclear. Benefits for animals would depend on how the policy was executed and whether the Office is independent of the Department of Agriculture in its operations and decision-making..

²The Coalition has no formal animal welfare policy, but since first publication of this table they announced a plan to join other parties including Labor and the Greens in supporting a ban on the sale of new cosmetics tested on animals.

³The Science Party's policy states "We believe the heavily documented accounts of animal suffering justify an end to the current system of live export, and necessitate substantive changes if it is to continue."

⁴Pirate Party Australia policy is to "Enact a package of reforms to transform and improve the live exports industry", including "Provid[ing] assistance for willing live animal exporters to shift to chilled/frozen meat exports."

⁵Nick Xenophon Team's policy on live export is 'It is important that strict controls are placed on live animal exports to ensure animals are treated in accordance with Australian animal welfare standards. However, our preference is to have Australian processing and the exporting of chilled meat.'

⁶Family First's Senator Bob Day's position policy on 'Animal Protection' supports Senator Chris Back's Federal 'ag-gag' Bill, which could result in fines or imprisonment for animal advocates who publish in-depth evidence of animal cruelty from factory farms.

⁷The Shooters and Fishers Party does not have a specific animal welfare policy but has several policies that would impact animals, including to "Promote shooting, hunting and fishing as appropriate school activities."

*Please note that this list of parties is not exhaustive. For a full list of candidates contesting the 2016 election, click here. Please also note that the information on this page reflects policies available online at the time of research & responses by email to Animals Australia. If you would like an update made, please contact us.

Independents

There are numerous Independent candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate this election. We are aware of these Independents so far who have positive animal welfare policies:

• Andrew Wilkie, Member for Denison in Tasmania
• Mark Aldridge, candidate for Makin in South Australia
• Bill Foster, candidate for Hinkler in Queensland

If you are an Independent candidate and want to be listed here, please contact us.

Preferences

If you'd like to find out more about how preferences work, let Dennis the Election Koala be your guide (it's an oldie but a goodie).

This guide is provided to assist supporters' awareness of the animal welfare policies of parties or candidates contesting the upcoming election. Animals Australia is an apolitical organisation and (in compliance with the Charities Act 2013) cannot endorse any political party or candidate.