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The following are detailed responses to the Animal Justice Party's (AJP) published policies/positions. We uphold animal welfare as a guiding principle, while ensuring policies respect the rights of individuals, communities, and cultural practices. This document outlines counterarguments to AJP positions across twelve key policy areas.
AJP Position:
Advocates for abolishing the property status of animals, proposing a new legal framework that recognizes animals as sentient beings with rights.
Response:
We recognise that animals are capable of experiencing pain, distress and other sensations, and support appropriate legal protections to ensure their humane treatment.
However, we maintain that animals should retain their established legal status as property, with owners and carers remaining responsible for their welfare.
Replacing this established legal framework with separate legal rights for animals could create uncertainty concerning ownership, responsibility, veterinary treatment and the enforcement of animal welfare obligations.
AJP Position:
Opposes animal farming for meat, dairy, eggs, and other products; advocates for a national transition to a plant-based economy.
Response:
We support ethical and responsible animal farming that prioritises welfare. Animal agriculture has cultural, economic, and nutritional significance for millions of Australians. Rather than eliminating these industries, we promote continuous improvement in welfare standards and sustainable practices, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality protein and food security.
AJP Position:
Seeks to ban greyhound racing, horse racing, rodeos, and other events that involve animals, claiming inherent cruelty.
Response:
We support the continuation of these traditional and recreational activities under strict animal welfare regulations. Racing and equestrian sports provide employment, contribute significantly to the economy, and foster deep community engagement. We insist that industry bodies uphold and continuously improve world-class welfare standards.
AJP Position:
Opposes lethal population control methods such as culling and 1080 poison, advocating non-lethal alternatives.
Response:
We prefer humane and non-lethal management wherever possible, but recognise that population control may be necessary in certain ecological contexts to prevent suffering, habitat degradation, or the collapse of native biodiversity. We advocate evidence-based, welfare-centred practices and increased investment in research into humane methods.
AJP Position:
Opposes recreational fishing and fishing competitions on the grounds of cruelty and exploitation.
Response:
We support recreational fishing as a long-standing cultural and social tradition that provides food, family bonding, and health benefits. We advocate sustainable practices and education to preserve fish populations and ensure humane treatment, while preserving this valued way of life for many Australians.
AJP Position:
Seeks to phase out all animal testing, promoting alternative research methods.
Response:
We support reducing animal experimentation wherever possible and investing in alternative research. However, in cases where animal-based research remains scientifically necessary and ethically approved, particularly for medical advancement, we insist on rigorous oversight, transparency, and adherence to the highest welfare standards.
AJP Position:
Supports strict regulation of breeding, including bans on breeding for cosmetic traits or commercial profit.
Response:
We support responsible and ethical breeding practices that prioritise the health and welfare of animals. We back strong enforcement of breeding standards and encourage breeders to affiliate with recognised associations that promote education, lifetime support, and best-practice care. We reject broad bans that may harm access to well-bred, healthy companion animals.
AJP Position:
Encourages mandatory transitions to plant-based diets in public institutions and government programs.
Response:
We respect all dietary choices, including plant-based diets, but oppose imposing mandatory restrictions. We support informed, voluntary decisions and sustainable agriculture across all food groups. Australians should have freedom to access and choose balanced diets appropriate to their cultural, health, and nutritional needs.
AJP Position:
Supports the transformation of zoos and aquariums into sanctuaries or education centres, with no breeding, acquisition, or public display of animals.
Response:
We recognise the vital conservation, education, and research roles played by accredited zoos and aquariums. We support improvements in animal welfare and transparency in these institutions, but oppose calls to abolish or transform them in ways that limit conservation efforts. These institutions can promote awareness and inspire protection of wildlife globally.
AJP Position:
Seeks to end the classification of pets as property and limit aversive training and traditional ownership models.
Response:
We strongly support pet ownership as a vital source of companionship and emotional well-being. Retaining property status is essential for legal protections, care obligations, and humane treatment. We promote education and positive training but do not support the abolition of effective, ethical behavioural training tools.
AJP Position:
Calls for a ban on duck shooting, wildlife culling, and other forms of hunting, regardless of population control needs.
Response:
We value native wildlife and ecosystems, but support regulated and humane population management where needed to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health. We do not support blanket bans that ignore regional and scientific considerations. Ethical and regulated hunting can be a tool for conservation and traditional land practices.
AJP Position:
Highlights the environmental harms of animal agriculture and advocates for a shift to vegan economies to combat climate change.
Response:
We support action on climate change through innovation and responsible stewardship of land and livestock. We support reducing emissions and improving farming efficiency, but oppose demonising farmers or entire food sectors. Australia’s contribution to global food security and rural prosperity must be maintained while improving sustainability.
While the Animal Justice Party proposes radical changes to current legal, agricultural, and social frameworks, we take a principled and pragmatic approach. We advocate for:
We believe in compassion with balance—respecting animals without sacrificing common sense, cultural heritage, or human livelihood.
Support responsible pet ownership and ethical breeding, defend working animals and protect lawful animal activities under enforceable welfare safeguards.
Support responsible pet ownership, establish a nationally coordinated animal cruelty register, oppose a compulsory guardianship model and seek removal of GST from household pet food.
Support community-led conservation, protect productive land and water, coordinate national feral-animal and invasive-weed programs, and protect lawful fishing.
