Update from Emma, September 2026

From exposing what’s happening in the greyhound racing industry to forcing the release of documents on animal experimentation, we’ve been using every parliamentary tool available to bring animal cruelty into the spotlight. Here’s what we’ve been up to.

Holding Ministers to account at Budget Estimates

In August, I went into Budget Estimates with a packed list of questions for NSW Government Ministers, covering topics such as:

• The Government’s inadequate response to Bird Flu, and the impact it’s having on wildlife and wildlife carers.
• Speciesism in our animal cruelty laws, and why some animals are protected while others are left behind
• The systemic harm caused by the racing industry to humans and animals alike 
• The pound and rehoming crisis facing our state. Our incredible rescues are being pushed to the limit, and they need NSW Government support.

Keeping animal issues in the headlines

We’ve been working hard to keep animal protection issues in the media, including: 

• Highlighting cruelty complaints about roadside zoos which the NSW Government has failed to action
• Building momentum for an Animal Abuse Register, with strong media coverage of our campaign
• Exposing the sacking of the Chief Commissioner of the Greyhound Regulator following a sexual harassment complaint that was made public following our call for papers.

Shining a light on animal experimentation

We passed a Parliamentary Call for Papers, which will force the release of documents from the same facility that carried out forced smoking experiments on mice. The public will finally see what other experiments have been happening at this facility behind closed doors.

Exposing Cruelty to Dingoes

Dingoes are the only native animal exempt from protection under NSW law – allowing them to be shot, trapped, poisoned, and baited, despite their sentience and cultural significance to traditional custodians. This month, we held two hearings into our Inquiry into Dingoes in National Parks - and had some adorable dingo pups from Sydney Dingo Rescue visit MPs. We are now drafting the Inquiry Report, which will make recommendations to the NSW Government for dingo protection reform.

Standing with women and animals experiencing violence

We've also been working to achieve reform for women experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault:

• Caitlin's Law: Following our advocacy with Caitlin’s mum, Kylie Bailey, the NSW Government has agreed to pass the legislation we’ve been fighting for to stop perpetrators of domestic and family violence from automatically becoming the senior next of kin when a victim dies – fixing a major loophole in our laws.
• Walk for WAGEC: My team and I took part in ‘Walk for WAGEC’ a 5km event to raise vital funds for domestic violence services.
• Lucy's Project: We're co-hosting an event in NSW Parliament for Lucy’s Project, the peak body working on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

For the rest of the year, the focus of our work will be getting the NSW Government to implement its two major election commitments for animals: overhauling animal cruelty laws and establishing an Independent Office for Animal Protection. Watch this space!

Support Emma’s work

Change happens when people like you choose to get involved, back animal protection and stand behind Emma in Parliament.

Every reform we’ve achieved, every inquiry we’ve launched, and every animal we’ve helped has been made possible because people like you demanded better.

It is clear that the influence of the AJP is growing, and our demands are being taken seriously by the major parties.

👉 Join us here and be part of the next wave of wins for animals.