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AJP October Newsletter 2024

Read our Oct newsletter covering the months of July, August and September2024

 

Dear Supporters,

The last few months have been huge for animals, with amazing progress in a number of campaigns.

A key focus has been our 'Bring Back the Ban' campaign on greyhound racing, which is gaining more and more overwhelming support in the push to end this cruel industry.

It all started with the sudden closure of the Wyee ‘Greyhounds as Pets’ Rehoming Facility, run by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), after shocking reports surfaced about the terrible conditions greyhounds were being kept in. Soon after, we learned of more disturbing issues, including deaths, problems with the US export program and allegations of nepotism and corruption within GRNSW.

The Minister for Racing announced an investigation into the closure of Wyee and the broader issues at GRNSW. To add to that, the Minister issued a ‘show cause’ notice to the Board of Greyhound Racing NSW, saying they’d lost confidence in the organisation.

We helped bring to light an explosive report from the former Chief Vet of Greyhound Racing NSW, which led to major media coverage and growing calls to ban the industry that has proven to be systemically cruel to animals.

On the same day this report came out, the CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW resigned. The Minister has since launched a special inquiry into the industry, with findings expected in December 2024.

Our MP, Emma Hurst, introduced a Bill to ban greyhound racing, which was followed by our powerful protest at Martin Place to ‘Bring Back the Ban.’ It was an amazing turnout, with powerful speeches from key supporters and a crowd of passionate members, supporters and greyhound advocates like you.

Join us today and be part of the transformation for all animals!

Become a member from $22

✊ Help us keep the pressure up and continue pushing for change!


Our MP Emma Hurst is making incredible change by speaking up for animals in Parliament

We are excited to share recent groundbreaking victories achieved by her relentless pursuit of justice for animals:

🐄 Farmed Animal Sanctuaries: Secured $25,000 for Little Oak Sanctuary and a pig rescue through the Premier’s Discretionary Fund.

🧬 Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Rolled out a $7M funding package—$4.5M for developing alternatives and $2.5M for rehoming animals from experimentation.

🐕 Greyhound Racing: Major strides towards a ban! From shocking revelations to a special inquiry, we’re pushing for an end to this cruel industry.

🏛️ Parliamentary Action: Passed a motion calling for an Independent Office of Animal Protection, tackled shark nets and secured tougher animal bans for abusers.

📜 Legislative Changes: Banned forced swim and smoking experiments, supported bills on animal abuse and domestic violence and advanced efforts on animals in rentals.

🐎Inquiries: Began hearings on the cruelty in horse racing and uncovered serious allegations, continued work on exposing the pound crisis and the cruel aerial shooting of brumbies.

🐨🦘Koalas and Kangaroos: Advocated for habitat protection and continued working with our partners in the US to ban kangaroo imports.


We’ve achieved incredible wins for animal and your support has made these victories possible.

We saw the roll out of the $7 million funding package we secured for animals used in experimentation: $4.5 million to develop alternatives to animal experimentation and $2.5 million for rehoming animals used in experimentation

We secured the first ever NSW Government funding for farmed animal sanctuaries through the Premier’s Discretionary Fund! A total of $25,000 has been given to Little Oak Sanctuary and another small rescue group saving pigs.


 

Upcoming Events

📢 Stand with us against animal abuse ✊

The cruelty that takes place behind closed doors is unacceptable and it's up to us to speak out for those who cannot defend themselves.

We invite you to join us at our upcoming protests, to lend your voice, your presence and your passion.

 

Protest the Grand Everest

Randwick Racecourse on Sat 19 October at 11am

Join Event Here 📆
 

Protest the Million Dollar Chase

Wentworth Park, Glebe Friday 18 October at 5pm

Emma Hurst and other greyhound advocates will be speaking!

Join Event Here 📆
 

 Nup to the Cup!

Tench Reserve, Penrith on Sat 2 Nov at 8am

The Penrith, Blue Mountains and Western Sydney Regional Groups invite you!

Join Event Here 📆
 

World Vegan Day at Sydney Vegan Markets

 🙌 Volunteers Needed! 🐾

We need awesome volunteers! 

Come hang out with us at Carriageworks on Saturday, 2nd November, from 9am - 5pm!

It’s going to be an epic day filled with all things vegan, delicious food, great vibes and a chance to chat about all we are doing for animals. Plus, you'll meet some amazing people who care about the same things you do!

No experience needed, just bring your passion and we’ll take care of the rest. If you’re keen to help out, send us an email at info@ajpnsw.org.au.

Join us for a fun day and be part of something awesome! 🎉

👉 Volunteer at the Sydney Vegan Markets 💚
Get your tickets here 🎫

✨ Recent events 📅

Bring Back the Ban Protest

bring-back-the-ban-end-greyhound-racing

On Saturday 17th of August we gathered as a collective, with one goal to:

BRING BACK THE BAN!

Ellie Robertson, our amazing MC for the protest said: “Your presence is a powerful statement against the exploitation of greyhounds and a call for a kinder, more compassionate world. We must keep the pressure on the government and expose the corruption and suffering that continue to plague this industry."

Sign and share the petition here

 
 
 

📢 Kangaroo Outreach 🦘

🦘🚨  Kangaroos are in danger in the Hawkesbury, Hills and Penrith areas. They are being killed and injured every night.

Members and wildlife advocates stood together at Sydney Town Hall Steps to raise awareness about the commercial kangaroo killing industry.

Prior we held outreach training to provide kangaroo rescuers, carers and advocates about the challenges faced by kangaroos and what people can do to help.

 

 
 

Markets, Picnics and Social Events

AJP North Shore, North West and Northern Beaches Regional Groups co-hosted a stall at the Sydney Vegan Market in Chatswood. Our volunteers enjoyed chatting with the friendly crowd and connecting with fellow animal lovers!

We signed up new members, engaged with those eager to get involved and shared our work and achievements in Parliament. People signed petitions, focusing on the 'Bring Back the Ban' campaign to end greyhound racing at Wentworth Park!

The Macquarie/Blue Mountains AJP regional group had a fantastic outreach stall at the Springwood Spring Festival. Our dedicated volunteers, including Jan, Ian, Maureen, Julie, Zoe, Nick, Leisa, Chris, and Sonia, welcomed many AJP members and friends who showed their support.

We enjoyed chatting with people, many signed petitions, purchased merchandise and made donations. It’s inspiring to see such enthusiasm for our movement!

AJP Western Sydney were out and about at Sydney Vegan Markets in Parramatta speaking to the community, getting petition signatures for two important local campaigns - Cats in Blacktown and Ban 1080 in Parramatta and enjoying delicious cruelty-free food! 🌿🍽️

📅 The Western Sydney group is planning more outreach events at Lake Parramatta before the Spring 1080 bait drop.

It was a beautiful day in Tenterfield for our Pop-up Picnic promoting AJP on the New England Hwy! 🎉🍉🚗

With so much traffic and so many picnickers around, our AJP New England group was definitely in the spotlight. They had a great response from the public, some cars cheering them on. 😀

If you live in the New England region and would like to be involved, contact us and we will connect you!

AJP members went to Greyhound Rescue for a volunteer event, a day after the ‘Bring Back the Ban’ Rally.

‘We got to help out the organisation with jobs and best of all, meeting the hounds and taking them for a walk! We learned a lot about the racing industry and why ethically adopting is important.’

– Ingrid A. Regional Group Leader

Shark Nets Outreach organised by Animal Justice Party regional groups in Central Coast, South Sydney and Illawarra/Wollongong.

Petition signing, rallying and other type of advocacy took place in order to raise awareness in the community. 

Learn more how to get involved here

 

The Party could not achieve wins for animals without active Regional Group members, who are the heart and soul of the Animal Justice Party. They inspire us every day and highlight the importance of grassroots activism for animals and the environment. 

👇 Find out more and get involved! 👇

Join a Local Group

🐾 Council Elections 🐾

🌟👏A HUGE heartfelt thank you to our amazing 2024 Council Election Candidates!

You’ve truly inspired us!

By standing as candidates and proudly representing the Animal Justice Party, you’ve made a big difference for animals.

While we didn’t secure a council seat this time, we came so close, missing out by the slimmest of margins in several areas. And what we achieved together was nothing short of remarkable, with some of the best results we’ve ever seen!

👉 Thousands of people gave animals their #1 vote! 🐾

 ❤️ A special thank you to our fantastic candidates:

Dianne Becker - Sutherland, Victoria Davies - Cessnock, Dorlene Haidar - Canterbury Bankstown, Emma Kerin - Blacktown, Sarah Ryan - Central Coast

We are so proud of the campaigns you ran and the dedication, passion and integrity you showed every step of the way. Running as a candidate puts animals on the political agenda during elections. Every conversation you had, whether with community members or representatives from other political parties, made a lasting impact.

A massive thank you also goes to our incredible volunteers! From letterboxing to supporting at pre-poll and on election day, the more volunteers we have the more votes we get.

🫶The more hands we have, the greater our influence!

With a Federal election on the horizon, we’ll need to rally again to stand up for the animals. Keep an eye out for our candidate announcements, we’ll need your support again!

We will continue the fight for a better world for animals! 

 
 
 
 
 

✍️Thank You for Your Submissions 📝

We just want to say a massive thank you to all of you who took the time to make submissions for the Greyhound Racing Inquiry & Live Sheep Export Ban.

🌟 Your support means the world, and together, we're making a real difference!

We'll keep you updated on the inquiries outcomes as they are released. So far we've been able to expose disturbing truths in the greyhound racing industry and put immense pressure on the industry to change. Thousands of dogs have died and the welfare issues are shocking.

Your submissions are going towards protecting the live sheep export ban, as we continue to fight against attempts to undo years of progress. With MP Emma Hurst serving as deputy chair of the inquiry, your voices are helping to keep sheep safe from the cruelty of long-distance journeys.

Stand Up for Native Wildlife

⚠️🌳 New Submission Call: Stand Up for Native Wildlife

We need your help again. The Minns Government’s panel on the forestry industry could end native forest logging, saving millions of animals and their homes. If the right recommendations aren’t made, countless animals will be left without a habitat.

We’ve seen success before, ending dolphin entertainment, changing laws on animal testing and more. Now, let’s protect our native wildlife from forest destruction. 

Make a submission here: Independent Forestry Panel

🐨Submissions close 13th October!

We know writing submissions can feel like a lot, but it doesn't have to be long or complicated. A few words still make a positive impact. Even a simple statement like: “I support ending native forest logging to protect wildlife and their habitats” can make a difference.

Thank you for your support!


Young AJP

We're looking for new Young AJP Members & to rebuild our Young AJP Committee!

We'd love passionate members to join the YAJP Committee roles such as:

  • Events Planners
  • Social Media Coordinators
  • Deputy Chair

Join the next generation of young people standing up for animals! If you're under 30, eager to get involved with the Young AJP, now's the time to step up and make an impact!

👉 Find out more here!
 

Support Our Fight for Animals!

As a minor political party fighting for animals (and winning!), we rely on the donations of generous supporters like you to fuel our critical election campaigns.

We MUST ensure that Emma Hurst is re-elected into Parliament at the next State Election.

If she isn't, the reality for animals is too grim to imagine...

If you can spare $20 or $40, or can commit to a small monthly donation, you will be joining a growing political movement dedicated to ending animal cruelty.

Give Once or Monthly

We understand that times are tough for many right now. If you're not in a position to give financially, please consider contributing in another way: you could sign up to volunteer, or get involved with your Local Group.


In solidarity with all animals,

NSW State Committee


The Animal Justice Party NSW Team

Natasha Brown
NSW State Director
Ellie Herodes
Communications Manager
Clelia Valdez
Graphic Design and Admin
 
 

Make sure to follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. That's where we post announcements as they happen.

 

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