Back

Trophy hunting import ban and live sheep exports on election agenda as parties lock in animal welfare commitments

Australian Alliance for Animals

The Australian Alliance for Animals has today revealed the positions of parties and independents on key animal welfare issues ahead of the federal election.

If re-elected, Labor will ban the importation of trophies from 20 of the most hunted species of exotic wildlife, including the American black bear, brown bear, cougar, giraffe, Canada lynx, wolf, polar bear, hippopotamus, vervet monkey, chacma baboon and more.  

Labor, the Greens, and a long list of prominent independents also vowed to uphold the legislative phase out of live sheep exports in the new term of parliament.

Senator David Pocock, Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps, Rebekha Sharkie and others, as well as potential new independents including Caz Heise in Cowper and Nicolette Boele in Bradfield, all pledged to support the phase out in the wake of threats by the Coalition to repeal the legislation.

Labor has also promised to strengthen national oversight of animal welfare standards in export abattoirs by expanding the functions of the Inspector-General of Animal Welfare, prioritise investment in the implementation of the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, and promote animal welfare in international trade agreements.   

Australian Alliance for Animals Policy Director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the positive responses received from the parties and candidates to the Alliance’s policy scorecards was evidence that animal welfare mattered to voters, echoing the results of a 2023 BehaviourWorks survey.

“Despite cost-of-living pressures and international uncertainty, animal welfare remains important to Australians, and we’re seeing this reflected in the parties’ positions,

“These are common sense policies that will be warmly welcomed by the Australian community,

“With over 90% of Australians believing animal welfare is important and supporting laws that ensure animals are provided with a good quality of life, strong animal welfare policies are a great way for parties and candidates to show people they care,

“Together with our members, we will be making sure as many Australians as possible see our scorecards so they know which parties and candidates share their values.”

Quotes from Alliance members:

“It’s really pleasing to see so much support for animal welfare from the parties and candidates. Humane World for Animals Australia has been advocating for a ban on trophy hunting imports for many years. Australians are appalled by the practice so I know this announcement will be very popular,” Nicola Beynon, Head of Campaigns, Humane World for Animals Australia (formerly Humane Society International).

“A commitment to national leadership on animal welfare is welcome and long overdue. A renewed animal welfare strategy will allow Australia to modernise its animal welfare systems and move away from cruel and outdated practices that FOUR PAWS has long campaigned against. It’s time for our policy and systems to better reflect the values of the community,” Rebecca Linigen, National Director, FOUR PAWS Australia.

“Animals Australia has been exposing the inherent cruelty of the cruel live sheep export trade for decades so we welcome the strong commitment of the parties and candidates to defend and uphold the legislative phase out in the new parliament,” Glenys Oogjes, CEO, Animals Australia.

“Our national animal welfare standards are failing to keep pace with international best practice, and that is harming animals as well as our global trade reputation. We’re really pleased to see the Labor Party committing to developing an animal welfare trade policy and supporting the recognition of animal welfare in international trade agreements,” Ben Pearson, Country Director, World Animal Protection Australia.

– ENDS –

Authorised by Jed Goodfellow, 16 Goodhope Street, Paddington, NSW 2021.

 

BACKGROUND

• A total of 16 parties and 14 independent candidates were contacted for their positions on:

1. supporting the current legislative phase out of live sheep exports by 1 May 2028
2. establishing a national Animal Welfare Commission to coordinate jurisdictions and lead national policy development
3. funding the implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
4. expanding DGR status to a broader range of animal welfare advocacy charities
5. establishing an animal welfare trade policy and promoting animal welfare in trade agreements
6. expanding the trophy hunting import ban to a broader range of protected species

• The respective positions have been summarised in one national and 18 electorate-specific scorecards, including the key seats of Bradfield, Cowper, Kooyong, Goldstein, Tangney, Sturt, Ryan and more.
• For more information about the policies and to read the parties’ responses, please visit: http://www.allianceforanimals.org.au/federal-election-2025  
• The scorecards have been prepared to raise awareness of the interests of animals and prevent animal suffering by summarising the position of political parties and candidates on the key animal welfare policy issues relevant to the charitable purposes of the Australian Alliance for Animals. The Alliance does not promote or oppose political parties or direct people how to vote.

Contact details:

Media contact: [email protected] | 0407 237 492

 

Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:

Dr Jed Goodfellow is the co-founder of the Australian Alliance for Animals and leads its law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy, including a PhD in animal welfare regulation.

The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au.