Update from Emma February 2026

Our NSW MP Emma Hurst continues to push year after year, day after day, for stronger protections for animals in Parliament. Recent progress shows why consistent, dedicated representation for animals matters.

New laws to protect animals left in hot cars: After years of advocacy led by Emma, NSW is finally moving to make it a specific offence to leave a dog in a hot car. Penalties may include fines of up to $44,000 and potential jail time. Emma will fight to amend the Government’s upcoming Bill to ensure the offence relates to all animals left in hot vehicles and to ensure good Samaritans who step in to rescue animals from these dangerous situations are protected. 

Prong collars to be outlawed: Prong collars are designed with inward-facing metal spikes that cause pain and can lead to serious injuries. Emma has consistently pushed for their ban, making clear that dogs learn through trust, safety and positive reinforcement. Pain has no place in training. This upcoming ban reflects years of sustained work to remove cruel devices from everyday use.

$9 funding boost for wildlife carers: NSW has allocated $9 million to support wildlife carers and rehabilitators, following sustained advocacy from Emma since she was elected. The care of wildlife is the responsibility of the state Government under the law - but the state leaves the actual care of wildlife to volunteers and vets, who typically get little to no money to cover the costs of saving lives. This funding is a welcome first step, but permanent, reliable support for wildlife carers and vets is essential and that fight continues.

Amazon bans sale of SGAR poisons and unsafe fruit netting: SGAR poisons cause immense suffering and slowly kill rats, owls, possums, quolls, eagles, and companion animals by causing them internal bleeding over days. Unsafe backyard fruit netting traps and maims flying foxes and other animals, causing injury or death.  Thanks to Emma’s advocacy and collaborative work, Amazon has removed both these dangerous products from sale – paving the way for other major retailers to do the same, and putting greater pressure on the NSW Government to place a ban on this cruelty.

Licence to Harm Native Animals Inquiry: We held the first Parliamentary hearing of the Inquiry into the ‘licence to harm native animals’ system which Emma is chairing. This inquiry is looking into the large number of licences given, and reviewing the whole process. These licenses allow landholders to apply to kill native animals such as wombats, cockatoos, possums and kangaroos on their property, with minimal oversight. We heard from peak animal protection organisations, First Nations representatives and wildlife organisations and carers about the devastating impact of these licences, and the need for urgent reform - watch this space!

Fixing Ag-Gag Laws: Right now, Ag-Gag laws in NSW are so oppressive, you cannot even legally report undercover footage of animal cruelty to authorities. The NSW Government had a Bill that would have fixed this – however, it was voted down by the Coalition & Greens. But the fight is not over – the Government have re-introduced the Bill and Emma will be working hard to ensure this Bill passes along with further amendments to ensure animal cruelty cannot remain hidden behind closed doors.

Fighting Against Making Shock Collars Legal in NSW: The NSW Government reversed a long-standing ban on shock collars in NSW to allow them to be used on cows. Shock collars give animals an electric shock in the neck as a form of negative-based training. We moved a disallowance motion in Parliament to try and stop this cruelty from becoming law. Unfortunately, only one Independent Member of Parliament supported our motion to block this reversal of animal protection laws. We will not give up and will keep fighting until these cruel devices become illegal again for all animals. 

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