It’s time for a Fair Go for Animals

The #FairGoForAnimals campaign proposes a new framework for creating a fair and independent animal welfare governance system in Australia.

Why do we need to reform the animal welfare governance system?

1. The system is rigged against animals.

Decision-makers are plagued by conflicts of interest, and animal use industries have unacceptable influence over government.

2. Animal welfare science is being ignored.

Under the law, decision-makers don't have to consider science when creating standards that impact on the lives of millions of animals.

3. The public's views aren't being taken seriously.

Australians who care about animal welfare deserve to have their views heard and reflected in animal welfare law and policy.

4. We're lagging behind the rest of the world.

Australia's animal welfare standards received a low ‘D’ ranking under the global Animal Protection Index.

5. Animals deserve better.

Animals should be treated in a way that respects their sentience and protects their welfare.

A cute piglet in a farrowing crate looking out longingly.

What does #FairGoForAnimals aim to achieve?

We’re calling for six vital reforms:

1. Ministerial recognition

Create Ministers for Animal Welfare to remove conflicts of interest.

2. National Animal Welfare Commission

Establish a National Animal Welfare Commission to make the system truly independent.

3. Animal Welfare Authorities

Create state Animal Welfare Authorities to ensure the interests of animals are upheld under law.

4. Decision-making principles & sentience recognition

Introduce guiding decision-making principles into animal welfare legislation, and recognise animals as sentient beings with intrinsic value.

5. Fair and accountable animal welfare standards processes

Create fair and accountable animal welfare standards and decision-making processes.

6. Adequate funding

Allocate proper funding for animal welfare services in line with community expectations.

How can you help?

By supporting a #FairGoForAnimals, you are joining a movement that seeks to transform Australia’s animal welfare system into one that truly respects and protects the wellbeing of animals.

By lending your voice, you help ensure that animals are no longer sidelined by legislation that prioritises commercial interests over their wellbeing. Together, we can create a future where animal welfare laws are a true reflection of our society's compassion and respect for all creatures. Support a #FairGoForAnimals today to help build a fairer Australia for animals.

A hen in focus in the foreground with other blurry hens in the background.

Building a fairer Australia for animals

Read the Alliance for Animals approach to fixing Australia’s broken animal welfare system.

Read the report

Learn more

Our work

Why does the standards development process matter for animal welfare?

The current process for reviewing and developing national standards for animal welfare in Australia is heavily dominated by industry interests, fails to consider contemporary science and community expectations, and lacks legislative accountability. Reforming this process would make the standards development process more inclusive, science-based, and accountable.

Racehorses deserve a fair go

Australia’s horse racing industry is riddled with systemic animal welfare issues. By reforming the system, we can better protect horses and provide them with the life-long care they deserve.

How will guiding legislative principles and sentience recognition improve animal welfare?

Australia’s Animal Welfare Acts need guiding principles to inform the application of the legislation, improve decision making, and ensure animals are protected, respected, and given the care they deserve.

What does adequate funding for animal welfare services mean?

Within the current system, multiple agencies are responsible for different aspects of animal welfare enforcement, leading to inconsistent outcomes and protections for animals. The establishment of independent state Animal Welfare Authorities can change this.

How will State Animal Welfare Authorities lead to better outcomes for animals?

Why it’s time for Australia to end live lamb cutting

Every year in Australia, over 10 million lambs are subjected to a painful surgical procedure called live lamb cutting, traditionally known as mulesing. The continued use of this cruel practice, despite the availability of an ethical alternative, highlights the failures within Australia’s animal welfare system.

Why does Australia need a National Animal Welfare Commission?

Australia's animal welfare system lacks national leadership, leading to significant inconsistencies in levels of protection across states. Creating a National Animal Welfare Commission as an independent statutory agency will introduce a structured and consistent approach to animal welfare while giving animals the independent representation they need and deserve.

How will Ministers for Animal Welfare help animals?

Despite Australians caring deeply about animal welfare, our existing governance system treats it as a low-priority issue – and it's time for this to change. In this article, we discuss how establishing Ministers for Animal Welfare will significantly elevate the profile of animal welfare within our government, helping to create a fairer system.

Australia’s animal welfare system is broken – together, we can fix it

This article explains how Australia’s animal welfare governance system is failing animals and introduces a viable solution for a fair and independent system.

Building a fairer Australia for animals

The Building a fairer Australia for animals report outlines the framework for creating a fair and independent animal welfare governance system in Australia. It explains the calls behind the #FairGoForAnimals campaign. It explains the fundamental problems within our current governance system and provides a clear path forward.

Australia’s Animal Welfare System Not Fit for Purpose: National Survey Reveals

The Australian Alliance for Animals is today releasing the results of a ground-breaking new study exploring community expectations about how the nation’s animal welfare policies are set and governed.

Pig Gassing Footage Highlights Broken Animal Welfare System

Distressing footage of the gas stunning of pigs aired on ABC TV 7.30 tonight highlights the urgent need to fix Australia’s broken animal welfare standards system.

Groundbreaking New Campaign Targeting Australia’s Broken Animal Welfare System to Launch Today

The Alliance for Animals has launched the #FairGoForAnimals campaign. The campaign aims to reform Australia’s broken animal welfare system and build a fairer Australia for all animals.

Why Australia Needs a National Animal Welfare Commission

Australia needs a national animal welfare commission to create better animal welfare policy

Animal welfare policy barometer 2023

The barometer presents and evaluates the findings of a representative national survey conducted by BehaviourWorks Australia exploring Australian attitudes and beliefs about animal welfare policy.

Learn more

Watch our campaign launch

Watch the webinar launch recording where we discuss the campaign and our six-point framework for reform.

Watch on YouTube

#FairGoForAnimals is endorsed by

Interested in endorsing as an organisation?

Become an ally today

The current laws in Australia fail to protect animals, even when that is what they promise to do. We will never create a total ethics fashion system which puts people, our fellow animals and the planet alike before profit unless we see much needed legislative change, like that which the #FairGoForAnimals campaign calls for.

Collective Fashion Justice
We agree categorically with the six points of reform the Alliance is proposing... The report recommendations are reflective of community expectations around animal welfare reform. It is Australia’s shame that a rich country like ours has been given a ‘D’ ranking in World Animal Protection’s global Animal Protection Index... Australia desperately needs to improve our country's poor record of how we treat all animals.

Stop Live Export
The mark of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Australian laws currently permit sentient animals to be tortured and horrifically slaughtered. Australia is failing animals. This is partly due to the inherent conflict of interest that arises when a government department is responsible for promoting animal exploitation and animal welfare. Animal welfare always comes second and is mostly ignored. Consequently, The Animal Law Institute supports a #FairGoForAnimals.

Animal Law Institute
We recognise the importance of independent oversight over animal welfare – as well as the harm caused to animals when animal use industries drive animal welfare policy. We fully support Alliance for Animals’ campaign for a more balanced and independent animal welfare governance system in Australia.

SAFE NZ
Dog racers can still count on governments to defend and subsidise their cruel activity. This shows that Australia’s animal welfare systems protect animal users above animals. We need to change the systems to change the world for greyhounds. #FairGoForAnimals

Blue the Grey
“We want to see animals treated in a way that respects their sentience and protects their welfare. We believe these reforms will provide a comprehensive framework that better protects animals from cruelty by ensuring their interests are a primary consideration in all related decisions."

RSPCA Queensland

Learn more about #FairGoForAnimals

Featured

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Why does the standards development process matter for animal welfare?

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Racehorses deserve a fair go

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Australia’s horse racing industry is riddled with systemic animal welfare issues. By reforming the system, we can better protect horses and provide them with the life-long care they deserve.

Blog