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.
Has a formal animal welfare policy? |
Supports Independent Office of Animal Welfare? |
Supports end to live export? |
|
Australian Labor Party (ALP) | YES | YES1 | NO |
Coalition (Liberal Party & National Party) | NO2 | NO | NO |
The Australian Greens | YES | YES | YES |
Animal Justice Party (AJP) | YES | YES | YES |
Australian Sex Party | YES | YES | YES |
Health Australia Party | YES | YES | YES |
Science Party | YES | YES | YES3 |
Pirate Party Australia | YES | YES | NO4 |
Derryn Hinch's Justice Party | YES | No policy | YES |
Sustainable Australia | YES | No policy | YES |
Australian Democrats | YES | No policy | No policy |
Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) | NO | No policy | NO5 |
Australian Independents Party | NO | No policy | No policy |
Family First | NO6 | No policy | No policy |
Democratic Labour Party (DLP) | NO | No policy | No policy |
One Nation | NO | No policy | No policy |
Palmer United Party | NO | No policy | No policy |
Secular Party of Australia | NO | No policy | No policy |
Shooters & Fishers Party | NO7 | No policy | NO |
Katter's Australian Party (KAP) | NO | No policy | NO |
Christian Democratic Party (CDP) | NO | No policy | NO |
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.