AJP NSW February Newsletter | NSW Hosts AJP National Conference 2026

🐾 The AJP National Conference is coming to NSW!

Dear Supporters,

In 2026, NSW will host the AJP National Conference, a powerful gathering of members from across the country united by one purpose, securing a stronger future for animals.

Planning is already underway, with more details to be announced in the coming months. This members-only event brings together our MPs, candidates, advocates and grassroots organisers to sharpen strategy, build political power, and plan the next steps for legislative change. It is where ideas turn into action, and action turns into wins for animals.

The conference will be held in person in NSW, with an online option available so members can join from anywhere in Australia.

If you want to be in the room where the next phase of animal protection is mapped out, now is the time to become a member of the Animal Justice Party.

👉 Join today for the animals!

Being a member means standing alongside a growing community determined to end cruelty and transform compassion into law. It means backing bold parliamentary action, supporting grassroots campaigns, and helping shape the political future animals deserve.

Progress for animals in NSW!

Our NSW MP Emma Hurst continues to push year after year 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.

We thank Emma for her dedication in Parliament, and we recognise the strength of our community in backing her work. When people come together politically, animals are seen, heard, and represented where decisions are made.

Support Emma’s work

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

It can be simple. Becoming a member and joining your regional group. Helping at an event. Sending an email. Small actions, taken together, are what shift things.

Discover ways to get involved for animals

Upcoming Events 📅

Clean Up Australia Day Events

Join us for Clean Up Australia Day and help protect wildlife while having a great time with fellow AJP members and environmental advocates!

Litter is a serious threat to animals, causing entanglement and ingestion risks - but we can take action to make a difference. We’ve got clean-ups happening across NSW, so look out for one near you.

Let’s get out there, do good and feel great, plus, you never know what local wildlife you might spot along the way! 🌊🌳🦆

Across NSW, Here’s Where We’ll Be

Clean Up at Ohkuma Japanese Gardens, Bathurst

Date: 1 March | Time: 10am–12pm
Location: Ohkuma Japanese Gardens Bathurst

👉 Join Event Here

Clean Up at Woolooware Bay

Date: 1 March | Time: 9am–11am

Location: 1 Dune Walk, Woolooware NSW 2230
(Power Pole Northern End of Solander Playing Fields)

👉 Join Event Here

Clean Up at Rainbow Beach Reserve, Port Macquarie

Date: 1 March | Time: 9am–11.30am
Location: Near the Surf Club, Rainbow Beach Reserve

👉 Join Event Here

Clean Up at Tench Reserve, Penrith

Date: 1 March | Time: 9am
Location: Coffee Club, Tench Reserve

👉 Join Event Here

Clean Up at Saltwater Creek Park, Long Jetty

Date: 1 March | Time: 9am–11am
Location: Saltwater Creek Park, Long Jetty

👉 Join Event Here

Social Events ✨

Fair Day 2026

Fair Day at Victoria Park was an absolute blast! Our stall was buzzing all day and it was genuinely lovely to see so many familiar faces drop by to say hi, along with plenty of new ones discovering Animal Justice Party for the first time.

Huge thanks to our volunteers who gave their time, energy and smiles to help raise awareness for animals, talk through key issues and sign up new members. Events like this remind us how strong and welcoming our community is. Pride is about visibility and solidarity, and animals were proudly part of that conversation. 🐶

Animal Rights Forum 2026

A week later, the Animal Rights Forum in Sydney brought together people from across the animal protection movement for two inspiring days of learning and collaboration.

🎬 Check out our Video Reel here!

It was energising to hear from our MPs Emma Hurst and Amanda Dorn, alongside State Director Natasha Brown, Regional Group Leader Sarah Ryan and Jessica Littlewood from Young AJP, about the work happening right now and the political fights ahead.

The rooms were filled with ideas, strategy and shared determination. We connected with activists, carers, campaigners and supporters from all walks of life, all committed to justice for animals. We are taking these new skills, insights and relationships forward as we continue pushing for change.

To everyone who volunteered, attended, stopped for a chat or stood with us, thank you. This movement is built by people who care, and together we keep building power for animals.

Regional Groups 🌿

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our South Sydney AJP members catch up. There were great conversations and people ready to step up for animals.

We connected, shared updates from our State Director and talked about what’s ahead for our region. And yes, the afternoon tea from Green Cherry Providore in Caringbah absolutely delivered! We cannot wait to see what this group does next and the change they create for animals.

Your voices won! Northern Beaches Bans 1080!

This month, Northern Beaches Council voted to remove 1080 poison from all Council operations. The motion passed 8 to 3.

Members and supporters will know this issue has been raised repeatedly by our community. 1080 is a manufactured toxin used to kill animals. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. There is no antidote. In warm blooded animals it causes severe distress, convulsions and organ failure. Secondary poisoning of scavenging wildlife is documented in scientific literature.

We want to thank everyone who took the time to send an email. Collective pressure changes votes.

A special thank you to Susan Sorenson and the Animal Justice Party Northern Beaches Regional Group. Susan played a leading role in coordinating efforts locally, working closely with the group to ensure councillors understood the strength of feeling in the community. So many advocates and organisations came together to make this happen. We’re grateful to every single person who helped.

As a result of this decision, wildlife on the Northern Beaches will no longer be subjected to this poison through Council programs.

1080 is still used in other parts of NSW. This outcome shows that bans are achievable when communities stand strong together. We will continue to advocate for an end to 1080 use across the state.

Protest at Ku-ring-gai Council Over St Ives Rodeo Proposal

Our North Shore Animal Justice Party members recently took a stand at Ku-ring-gai Council, protesting the proposed North Shore Rodeo in St Ives.

Rodeos subject animals to loud crowds, restraint and forced performances that cause fear and distress. Our members turned up to say this is not entertainment. It is suffering packaged as a show.

A big thank you to the North Shore team for organising this action and standing together. We are proud to see our community using their courageous voices for animals and showing what collective action looks like in practice.

Valentine’s Day Fundraiser for Animals

Port Macquarie members marked Valentine’s Day with a fundraiser at Dook Nook Animal Sanctuary in Elands on the Mid North Coast.

Members and fellow advocates spent the day meeting and feeding rescued animals, sharing a generous plant based lunch and raising funds to help cover the ongoing cost of care for the sanctuary’s residents.

Thank you to Effie at Dook Nook for hosting and bringing everyone together for a beautiful day centred on compassion.

We are proud to see our Port Macquarie members building community and backing local sanctuaries in such a meaningful way.

Wins come from everyday people. That includes you!

Join the Animal Justice Party!

If you have ever thought, I want to help but I do not know where to start, becoming a member is the first step!

As a member, you can connect with local groups across NSW made up of friendly, committed people who remember what it felt like to be new. They will help you find your place, show you how to get involved, and demonstrate how small, consistent actions build political outcomes for animals.

💬 Poll results: Your voices for animals

Last month, over 160 members shared what matters most right now. Many of you also took the time to write personal messages about the animals in your lives and communities.

Here are the priorities you highlighted most:

73% ending factory farming
70% stronger cruelty laws
67% ending live export
65% phasing out animal testing
63% ending exploitation in sport and entertainment
60% wildlife and habitat protection
56% an Independent Office of Animal Protection

Beyond the main campaign areas, many of you wrote heartfelt messages. Some raised issues like kangaroo killing, rental laws affecting companion animals and the need for properly funded desexing programs. Some of you also pointed to gaps in existing laws. Where protections apply to one group of animals but not others. Where cruelty is limited, not ended.

Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for speaking up. We will continue to turn your voices into action.

Keep Emma in NSW Parliament Fighting for Animals

The NSW State Election in March 2027 is fast approaching - and the work to protect animals and get Emma re-elected starts now. Thanks to your support, Emma Hurst has already achieved major wins for animals in Parliament, including stronger cruelty laws, a ban on forced swim and smoking tests, and she continues to hold powerful animal‑exploiting industries to account.

With your help, Emma can keep driving this progress and ensure animals remain firmly on the political agenda.

Your donation today helps power the movement she leads, and builds the foundation for the victory animals so desperately need - and that is getting Emma re-elected for another 8 years.

Donate Here

If you are not able to donate, you can still help by volunteering, sharing our campaigns or encouraging others to join. Contact [email protected] to get involved.

Thank you for standing with animals and helping us build the power needed to protect them.