Who we are
The Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations to create systemic change for animals.
Our Core Member Organisations
We bring together Australia’s leading animal protection organisations representing over 2 million supporters
Our aim is to create an independent animal welfare policy system that works for animals, not against them. Through our programs we lead sector-wide support for crucial reforms, hold decision-makers to account, and bring our members and allies together to strengthen the representation of animals.
Our People
The Alliance team is made up of some of Australia’s most experienced advocates with expertise in animal welfare law, science, policy, and communications. The team is supported by a highly skilled and independent board.
Dr Jed Goodfellow
Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
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Dr Jed Goodfellow BA/LLB (Hons), GDLP, PhD leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda and government relations work. He has over 20 years experience in animal welfare law, policy, and advocacy, having previously worked in senior policy, prosecutorial, and enforcement roles with the RSPCA across Australia. Jed has represented animals in courtrooms, parliamentary inquiries, standard setting forums, and regularly in the media. He played an integral role in the campaigns to end live exports and the use of battery cages. Jed developed Macquarie University’s Animal Law unit in 2012 and has taught the course annually for the past 10 years. In 2015, Jed was awarded a PhD in animal welfare regulation. His research examined the role of agriculture departments in regulating animal welfare and provided an empirical and analytical basis for law reform proposals to establish new animal welfare governance models in Australia. Jed lives in Sydney on Gadigal country.
Dr Bidda Jones AM
Co-Founder
DIRECTOR, STRATEGY
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Dr Bidda Jones AM BSc (Hons), GDipPub, PhD, GAICD leads the Alliance’s strategy for animal welfare and evidence-based research. A zoologist specialising in animal behaviour and welfare, Bidda previously worked for RSPCA Australia as their Chief Science and Strategy Officer, establishing the organisation’s reputation as a trusted source of animal welfare science over her 25-year tenure. She has played an instrumental role in campaigns to end live exports and the use of battery cages for layer hens and represented the interests of animals on multiple government and industry committees. Bidda is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science, and has published over 35 articles, reports and books, including ‘Backlash – Australia’s conflict of values over live exports’. In 2021, Bidda was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant services to animal welfare science and advocacy. Bidda lives with her family on a conservation property on Walbanja country in southern NSW.
April Broadbent
CAMPAIGNER – BETTER CHICKEN COMMITMENT
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April has a background in environment campaigning, electoral campaigning, volunteer management and communications. In her previous role with the Queensland Conservation Council she co-lead the development and delivery of the public engagement side of the new Protect Beautiful Queensland campaign, including community organising, events, and digital platform management.
April lives on Yuggera and Turrbal country in Brisbane.
Nadia Kiternas
CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
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Nadia is the Alliance’s Campaigns and Communications Manager. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications, advocacy, and promotional campaigns to support the Alliance’s mission. Nadia has a background in marketing and over six years of experience working in the animal welfare and protection space. In her previous role at Animal Liberation, Nadia assisted the team with the development of campaign strategies, was responsible for the organisation’s communications to supporters, managed their social media presence, co-organised public events, and liaised with external groups to raise support for campaigns. Nadia lives on Boon Wurrung country in Melbourne.
Christine van Horen
OPERATIONS AND FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR
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Christine is the Alliance’s Operations and Fundraising Coordinator, providing administrative and operations support to the team and coordinating the Alliance’s fundraising activities. She has more than 20 years of experience working in media, office management and related roles, including specific experience in events. Christine brings to the Alliance a wealth of expertise from her 8 years at Eurogroup for Animals. As Events Manager at Eurogroup for Animals, in addition to organising their annual event, AGM and board meetings, she also organised EU Parliament intergroup sessions, workshops, seminars, film screenings, exhibitions, and campaign actions. Prior to that, Christine worked in various roles, including as Contracts & Rights Manager for Avalon Entertainment Limited, a London-based talent management, TV production and live promotion group, and before that as a Paralegal in the real estate mortgages team of a Sydney law firm. Christine lives on Guringai country in Sydney.
Alliance for Animals board
The Hon Dr Craig Emerson
DIRECTOR
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Dr Craig Emerson is an eminent economist with 40 years of experience in public policy, politics and public service. He is the Director of the Australian APEC Study Centre at RMIT University in Victoria. Dr Emerson also holds positions as a Visiting Fellow at The Australian National University, Adjunct Professor at Victoria University’s College of Business and Chair of the McKell Institute. He is a regular columnist with The Australian Financial Review. Dr Emerson was Australia’s Minister for Trade from 2010 to 2013. He is also a former Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Minister for Competition Policy, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Small Business. Dr Emerson has a PhD in Economics from The Australian National University.
Dr Kate Blaszak
DIRECTOR
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Dr Kate Blaszak BVSc Hons, MSc, ANZCVS (Animal Welfare) GAICD is an Australian veterinarian and Director Sustainable Proteins with Asia Research Engagement. Previously she was Global Head of Research and Animal Welfare (Animals in Farming) with World Animal Protection. She holds a MSc in International Animal Health from University of Edinburgh and examination memberships in animal welfare and epidemiology with the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Kate has led global teams, advised on strategy and conducted corporate/policy engagement with significant technical and campaign experience for animal welfare and humane and sustainable food systems. Previously, she worked with Australian and UK Governments in regulatory roles.
Anastasia Smietanka
DIRECTOR
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Anastasia Smietanka BA (Hons), LLB, DML (French), Member of the Victorian Bar is a barrister and co-founder and director of the Animal Law Institute. She has been involved in the animal law movement for over seven years with leading organisations including the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel and Voiceless, the animal protection institute. She is a co-founder of Australia’s only animal law moot. In 2015, Anastasia was named as one of the most influential individuals in the not-for-profit sector by Pro Bono Australia. She has served on the board of a number of animal rescue charities, as well as formerly holding the position of National Co-ordinator of the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel. Anastasia holds degrees in Media/Communication and French from the University of Melbourne.
Maree Daniels
DIRECTOR
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Maree Daniels is an experienced executive leader, specialising in communications, fundraising, community engagement, campaign management and marketing. As Client Services Director for Revolutionise International, Maree works with charities across the Australia and New Zealand region, accelerating growth through behavioural design. Maree’s previous executive management experience includes Executive Manager, Community Engagement for RSPCA WA and Fundraising and Marketing Manager with Breast Cancer Care WA. Maree is a not-for-profit specialist, driven to create change for the lives of animals, for our planet and the community by using her experience for good and inspiring others to achieve more. She is passionate about animals and has volunteered extensively for animal welfare causes.
Why the Alliance?
In Australia, the systems we use to create laws and policies concerning animal welfare are broken. Government processes are not keeping up with community expectations or contemporary animal welfare science.
Australian animals deserve better.
They deserve action to end cruel practices, and a decision-making process that ensures their interests are heard and respected.
This is why the Alliance was created.
We are working to change the system by creating a more balanced and independent governance structure - one which better represents and safeguards the interests of animals.
Australian Alliance for Animals Co-Founders
(left to right: Dr Meg Good, Dr Bidda Jones AM, Dr Jed Goodfellow)