AJP NSW May Newsletter 2026

Dear Supporters,

We have an extraordinary community standing up for animals and for a kinder future, and this month's newsletter is full of the wins and moments that show exactly why.

So many of you have been busy online and on the ground, sowing seeds of change and sending out ripples that are growing into something big and meaningful. Our MP, Emma Hurst, has been absolutely relentless in parliament, and our members and supporters have matched that energy right across NSW.

This month, wins have been secured, headlines have been made for animals we have been fighting for, the Northern Beaches Council voted to go fur free, and our community has not missed a beat. We also hit 10,000 signatures on our Bring Back the Ban petition, and there is now a new action you can take to turn that milestone into pressure on parliament.

We are at a crucial moment. The 2027 NSW State Election is less than a year away, and keeping Emma in parliament fighting for animals depends on all of us. The most powerful thing you can do right now is to become a member. Take the actions in this newsletter, share them, and let's keep rising for the animals.

Become a member from $22 a year

Outside NSW? Join AJP in your state/territory here

Fighting for Animals in NSW

This month has been one of action, community, and progress. Our members and supporters showed up at rallies for community cats, dolphins in captivity, and horses in racing, and took to the streets, markets, and meeting rooms right across NSW. From Coffs Harbour to Sydney and everywhere in between, the AJP community has been showing up for animals.

Across recent months, our MP Emma Hurst has exposed cruelty in dolphinariums, worked to stop the expansion of the kangaroo killing industry, campaigned to end convenience killing in pounds, pushed to ban SGAR poisons, outlawed keeping dogs in hot cars and prong collars on dogs, and worked to get justice for cruelty cases.

This month, Emma has been keeping up the pressure on greyhound racing, questioning the Minister in Parliament and raising serious concerns about live-baiting allegations currently before the courts. Emma also obtained internal government documents revealing allegations of racism, sexism, and sexual harassment within the industry regulator GWIC, raising significant questions about its capacity to hold the industry to account.

🐕 WIN! Emma secures inquiry into dingoes in National Parks.

Dingoes are the only native animal exempt from protection under the Biodiversity Conservation Act, leaving them vulnerable to being shot, poisoned, and baited despite their deep cultural significance to many traditional custodians. Emma, who chairs the Animal Welfare Committee under which this inquiry will run, said it best: "This inquiry is a chance to hear from voices that want to change the way dingoes are managed within National Parks." Submissions will open soon.

Northern Beaches Council Votes to Go Fur Free

Northern Beaches Council has voted to ban the sale of animal fur products on council land, including at council-owned and managed markets, events, and community spaces.

This is an incredible win for animals, and it would not have happened without the dedication of AJP NSW members and supporters in the Northern Beaches.

When our Ban Fur Working Group relaunched earlier this year, Northern Beaches AJP member Susan Sorensen hit the ground running. She rallied volunteers to keep an eye out for fur products at local markets, with members across the Northern Beaches submitting photos, product details, and locations to help build the case.

From there, things moved quickly. In May, Susan put together a ready-to-go template complete with councillor contact details, making it as easy as possible for supporters to reach out directly and urge them to support the motion. Many of you did exactly that, and it made a big impact.

On Tuesday, 19 May, Susan, alongside Louise Ward from Four Paws and a group of members and supporters, turned out to the council meeting in Dee Why to show councillors that this issue matters to the community. That same night, they voted.

The motion passed!

Northern Beaches is now the seventh NSW council to go fur free, alongside Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Inner West, City of Sydney, Newcastle, and the Blue Mountains. AJP NSW MP Emma Hurst is working towards introducing a state-wide bill in parliament, and every council win builds that case.

A huge thank you to the powerhouse that is Susan and the Northern Beaches regional group members, to everyone who submitted fur product sightings, to those who emailed councillors, and to everyone who showed up on the night.

Our Ban Fur Working Group meets monthly online and is always welcoming new members. If you'd like to join, email [email protected] with the subject line 'Ban Fur Working Group'.

National Volunteers Week

National Volunteers Week is here, a moment to honour the people who give their time to make the world a little better. This year's theme, Your Year to Volunteer, is an invitation to discover how showing up for something bigger than yourself can create connection, purpose, and lasting change.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Animal Justice Party. ❤️

They are the ones out in the community answering questions, handing out flyers, sharing the stories of animals who cannot speak for themselves, helping run market stalls, and doing the essential work that keeps this movement going. And with the 2027 NSW State Election approaching, that work has never mattered more.

Thank you to each and every one of you who gives your time for animals, people, and the planet.

Ready to take the next step?

We are now accepting applications for AJP candidates in the 2027 NSW State Election, with Emma Hurst again standing in the Upper House.

We are also forming an Election Working Group and looking for people with skills across marketing, communications, fundraising, training, project management, graphic design, and more to help run a strong campaign.

Every person who steps up brings us closer to keeping Emma in parliament, fighting for animals.

👉 Apply to stand as a candidate

👉 Apply for an Election Working Group role

If you have any questions, reach out at [email protected].

Stop the Circus

A lot of people have questions about what our Stop the Circus campaign is actually about, so we have put it all in one place. The history of the campaign, who Bella, Zippy, and Jet are, and exactly what we are asking for the last three captive dolphins in NSW.

Bella, Zippy, and Jet have been in captivity their entire lives, purposely bred, never rescued, and still performing daily at the misleadingly named Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.

Read the blog here

Animal Justice Party
2026 National Conference

It's set to be bigger, bolder and more powerful than ever.

Head over to our conference page to save the date and stay across all the latest updates. We'll be announcing our first guest speakers next month, so keep an eye out! ✨

Visit the conference page here

Tickets will be released soon, and you will need to be a member to attend. If you have been thinking about joining, now is the perfect time!

Your membership will increase the power of our movement as the elections draw nearer. The more members we have, the louder our collective voice will be in safeguarding animal interests and achieving lasting policy change.

Join the Animal Justice Party!

Not in NSW? Join AJP in your state/territory here

For the latest news, wins, and updates for animals, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Bluesky. We are always posting and there is always something worth sharing.

Email Your MP:
We reached 10,000 signatures on our
Bring Back the Ban petition

We recently hit a major milestone: 10,000 signatures on our Bring Back the Ban petition. Ten thousand people in New South Wales have said no more to greyhound racing deaths, injuries, cruelty, and public money propping up a broken industry.

Our Greyhound Working Group has been working hard to turn that amazing progress into action. Their latest effort gives you a direct line to your MP, because 10,000 signatures deserve to be heard.

Thank you to everyone who signed, shared the petition, showed up to a rally, volunteered their time, or did outreach in their community to help us reach this milestone.

✍️ Tell your local MP that 10,000 people want greyhound racing gone. We've drafted the email, add your details, personalise the subject line and opening, and hit send.

Email your NSW MP

Not in NSW? You can still take action.
Sign our petition to bring back the ban on greyhound racing.

Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Ban

Community Cats Rally

AJP members and supporters joined the Save Community Cats rally at Martin Place and NSW Parliament, standing up for a compassionate approach to community cats. The rally called on the government to better support affordable desexing, vaccination, and rehoming, so that every cat has somewhere safe to belong.

The energy on the day was electric. Cat costumes and dancing at Martin Place made for a joyful and memorable gathering. A big thank you to the Save Community Cats group for organising such a lively and important rally, and to everyone who showed up and made their voices heard.

Empty the Tanks Rally

Every year, people around the world take to the streets for Empty the Tanks, a global day of action calling for an end to the captivity of dolphins and whales.

This year, AJP members and supporters joined that worldwide movement right here in NSW, gathering outside Coffs Coast Wildlife "Sanctuary" to stand up for Bella, Zippy, and Jet, three dolphins held in captivity and forced to perform for entertainment.

It could not have come at a more important moment. Last month, our MP, Emma Hurst, spoke to 7News about the dolphins' situation, bringing national attention to the issue, and voices across the country have been speaking out, including surfing legend Kelly Slater, Australian music icon John Williamson, and filmmaker and public figure Mike Gunner.

We also secured a significant win with Tripadvisor, which added an animal welfare advisory label to the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary listing, stating it "does not meet animal welfare guidelines", meaning anyone searching for the venue now sees that warning.

Thank you to everyone who came out, spoke up, and stood for the animals. The pressure is working, and we are not letting up.

Westport Foreshore Markets

Our Port Macquarie crew had a wonderful day at Westport Foreshore Market this month, and from the looks of it, so did everyone who stopped by! Penny, the rescue greyhound, was a natural charmer, drawing in pats, chats, and plenty of curious visitors, along with a parade of dogs who happily accepted a free biscuit.

Visitors and supporters bought raffle tickets, signed petitions, picked up merch, and even joined the Party, all while spreading the word about what AJP is fighting for.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who made it happen!

Central Coast and Newcastle-Hunter
Election Catch Up

Members from the Central Coast and Newcastle-Hunter Animal Justice Party groups came together this month to begin planning for the 2027 NSW State Election.

At the top of the agenda is securing the re-election of AJP NSW MP Emma Hurst to the Legislative Council. Emma has spent years fighting for animals inside Parliament, taking on exploitative industries, raising issues others won't touch, and forcing animal protection onto the political agenda. Her wins can only continue if we fight to keep her there.

We’re fighting for change, but we need you with us.

Emma has championed reforms to end greyhound racing, toughen laws against animal abusers, and secure backing for Australia's first Independent Office of Animal Protection.

She can only keep fighting with your support behind her.

This is the time that truly counts.

Get Involved for Animals!

23 May - AJP Stall at Street Paws Festival
View Facebook Event Here

24 May - AJP Stall at Pets Life Festival
View Facebook Event Here

7 June - AJP Stall at The Big BBQ
View Facebook Event Here

28 June - AJP Stall Caringbah Markets
View Facebook Event Here

Check out each event's Facebook page for details, or drop us an email at [email protected] if you have questions or want to let us know you're coming.

View All Our Events

Meet our cover star for this month ⭐

The Southern Brown Bandicoot

This little ecosystem hero was our spotlight animal for Endangered Species Day earlier this month. Head to our socials to learn more about why this species needs our protection.

👉 View on Facebook

👉 View on Instagram

Keep Emma in NSW Parliament Fighting for Animals

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.