What does the NSW Election result mean for animals?

NSW has just elected a Labor Government for the first time in 12 years. Prior to the election, together with our core members we contacted parties and candidates to find out their positions on a range of Alliance reform issues. Seven parties expressed full or partial support for Alliance reforms, with support also strong among independent candidates. Labor partially or fully committed to most of our reforms.

Here’s what the change of government means for animals in NSW

New Independent Office of Animal Welfare

Labor has committed to introducing an independent Office of Animal Welfare, which would make NSW the first Australian jurisdiction to implement this crucial reform.  

Although we don’t yet know any details, if the incoming government properly structures and resources the Office it could have numerous benefits including: 

• Focusing enforcement efforts and capabilities 

• Increasing the level of sophistication and specialisation in regulatory services 

• Reducing actual and perceived conflicts of interest

• Improving community confidence in animal welfare

• Delivering better animal welfare outcomes. 

The Alliance will be working hard to ensure that the new Office is sufficiently independent and granted appropriate functions and funding. Learn more about the benefits of independent state animal welfare authorities in our Building a Fairer Australia for animals report.

New animal welfare framework

Labor has promised to introduce a new animal welfare framework in NSW to replace the state’s outdated animal welfare legislation. 

Details about the new framework haven’t yet been announced, but the Alliance will be working to ensure that any new legislation incorporates key reforms from our #FairGoForAnimals campaign, such as:

• A set of guiding decision-making principles that apply across government to any regulatory or policy decisions that impact animal welfare

• Explicit recognition of the sentience of animals and their intrinsic value

• A standards development framework with balanced and inclusive stakeholder representation, independent scientific literature review, and meaningful public consultation

• Criteria for the making and adoption of animal welfare standards, including a requirement that husbandry practices are consistent with the duty of care provisions under NSW animal welfare legislation.

Battery cage phase-out by 2036

Labor supports the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry, which outline a phase-out of battery cages by 2036.

The fact that the Minns Labor Government has supported the proposed phase-out of battery cages is highly significant for the success of the entire national process. As Australia’s largest battery cage-egg producing state, NSW has long been a sticking point in the development of a national transition to more humane egg farming practices. With NSW now supporting a phase-out, we can hopefully expect to see further progress all across the country. Although the commitment is promising, the 2032-36 phase-out period is still unacceptably long. The Alliance will continue to advocate for a shorter timeframe to improve the lives of the over 55 million hens expected to be housed in battery cages during the proposed thirteen year phase-out period. To read more about why a shorter phase-out period is necessary, and how you can help take action on battery cages, read our handy guide here.

Improved koala protection

Labor committed to protecting koala habitat by promising $80 million to create a ‘Great Koala National Park’ on the mid north coast between Kempsey and Coffs Harbour.

They have also pledged to protect the koalas of southern Sydney by ensuring that wildlife corridors in Woronora Heights are transferred from Sydney Water to the National Parks and Wildlife Services.  More details about their plans can be found here. The Alliance will be encouraging the government to go further and put an end to native forest logging across the state via a planned transition to a sustainable timber industry. Anything short of a ban will fail to adequately protect the welfare of koalas and other vital threatened species.

Puppy farm ban

Labor has promised to introduce legislation banning puppy farms across the state.

They have also committed to reviewing the funding arrangements for animal welfare enforcement agencies and to creating a “fit and proper person” regime that will prevent people convicted of aggravated, multiple and/or repeat animal cruelty offences from being involved in the keeping or breeding of companion animals. Due to lax laws, NSW has become the puppy farming capital of Australia. The Alliance will be ensuring the government follows through with its commitment and introduces a fast and effective end to this unacceptable practice. We support a legislative model based on the Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2021, which imposes a cap of ten on the number of fertile dogs breeders can own.

Action on kangaroo inquiry recommendations

Labor has supported the recommendations of the ‘Health and Wellbeing of Kangaroos and other Macropods in New South Wales’ Report based on the 2021 inquiry.

The report’s recommendations do not propose an end to kangaroo shooting; instead they call for regulatory reform and increased research into key issues raised by the inquiry. The Alliance will monitor progress on this reform and support the work of core members who are particularly focused on this issue (such as Animals Australia and Voiceless).

No commitment on ministerial recognition

Labor has not yet committed to the recognition of animal welfare within the title of a ministerial portfolio, separate to the agriculture portfolio.

In response to our scorecard ask, Labor stated that portfolio allocation and titles “are a matter for the Premier after each election”. An independent ministerial portfolio would help elevate the importance of animal welfare within government, remove problematic conflicts of interest and ensure that animal welfare issues receive the dedicated focus and attention they deserve. Accordingly, the Alliance will be seeking to meet with the new government to encourage the creation of a Minister for Animal Welfare or an alternative means of separating animal welfare from the agriculture portfolio.

Where do other parties sit on these issues?

Labor did not secure enough seats to govern in its own right. This means it will need to rely on the support of other parties or independents to pass legislation. Thankfully, several other parties and independents support all of the above policies and more, including the Greens, the Animal Justice Party, and the Legalise Cannabis Party.

You can find out where the various parties stand on animal welfare issues here.

Upper house

The composition of the Legislative Council is crucial for determining whether the government can implement its legislative agenda, including the introduction of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare and the other reforms discussed above. As Labor and the Coalition have an equal number of seats in the upper house, if the Coalition opposes a reform, the Minns Government will have to rely on the crossbench to pass legislation. This may make it more challenging for the government to pass important reforms for animals. Fortunately however, half of the parties on the crossbench (comprising 6 of the 12 members) support all of the Alliance’s 6 proposed reforms for NSW. The Alliance will continue to engage with NSW parliamentarians to ensure they understand why it is so vital that these reforms are achieved as soon as possible.

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Photo above of a hen in a battery cage, sourced from: Jo-Anne McArthur We Animals Media.