Dear Ellie,
October saw us take to the streets for five rallies and protests, host the Animal Justice Party 2026 National Conference, and turn out for big community events with our regional groups across the state. It’s been one of our biggest months yet for animals.
Greyhound racing was the biggest of these, with a rally outside NSW Parliament on 14 October calling on the NSW Government to shut it down, followed two days later by the rally against the Million Dollar Disgrace at Wentworth Park, marking the last ever Million Dollar Chase. The same week, our MP Emma Hurst and the Animal Justice Party NSW joined more than 30 organisations in the Ten Years On Open Letter, calling on the NSW Government to finally commit to phasing out greyhound racing for good. Young AJP also came together this month for greyhounds, volunteering with Greyhound Rescue NSW for the Great Global Greyhound Walk.
We also stood against animal cruelty on other fronts this month, from the Anti-Vivisection World Protest to the Say No to the Everest horse racing protest and the Drop Croc protest outside Hermès.
Our regional groups brought Emma Hurst and our candidates together with the community at events across the state, including Crows Nest Festival and Granny Smith Festival, and we also held our National Conference this month, a huge weekend that brought members together from across the state and country.
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Animal Justice Party National Conference 2026
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This year our NSW branch had the honour of hosting the Animal Justice Party National Conference 2026, two days built around a single shared purpose, moving together toward a future that is kind, just and compassionate.
A future where every animal matters, wild, companion and farmed alike, no matter how differently they’re treated or valued today. A future where none are exploited or harmed in the name of sport, science, fashion or food.
The two days brought together speakers from across art, social media, research, advocacy and politics, each bringing their own way of working toward the same goal, closing the gap between the animals we already protect and the animals still left behind. Our MPs spoke to the policy work still ahead, from banning greyhound racing to live export phase-outs to stronger wildlife protections, while others shared how storytelling, research and grassroots organising are shifting attitudes outside Parliament.
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Photo Credits to Kai Weinbeck 📸
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Turning this weekend into change for animals
Together we’ve achieved more for animals than a party our size is meant to, and conference weekends like this one remind us why we keep going. The ideas and connections from the weekend matter most when they turn into something real, a meeting with your regional group, a morning at a market stall, a conversation with a neighbour, or sharing a post with someone who hasn’t heard our message yet. The 2027 NSW State Election is where it all comes together, and there’s a place in it for you, whatever time you have to give.
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Support Emma’s re-election to keep fighting for animals
This election comes down to one thing - keeping our MP Emma Hurst in NSW Parliament. She has secured millions in funding for animals, pushed through law reform, and protected countless lives across NSW while in office. Re-electing her is the single most important thing we can do for animals in this state. Donations help power the fight for animals and get Emma re-elected for another 8 years.
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Together, We Stood Up for Greyhounds
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This was the week we showed exactly what sustained pressure can do.
On 14 October, we rallied outside NSW Parliament, standing alongside Emma Hurst and a coalition of compassionate MPs and animal protection groups, demanding the NSW Government shut down commercial greyhound racing for good.
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Two days later, we were back on the ground at Millard Reserve, Wentworth Park, for the rally against the Million Dollar Disgrace, marking the last ever Million Dollar Chase. After years of standing on this ground demanding change, this was a moment to celebrate, proof of what a community that refuses to back down can achieve. But we continue to fight until greyhound racing is shut down all across NSW.
Speaking at the rally, our MP Emma Hurst said:
“We’ve proven that we can shut down Wentworth Park, and we will continue to fight this until the entire industry is gone.”
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The same week, our MP Emma Hurst and the Animal Justice Party NSW joined more than 30 organisations in the Ten Years On Open Letter, calling on the NSW Government to finally commit to phasing out greyhound racing for good.
We’ve made it quick and easy, our email action takes less than a minute to send straight to your local MP, letting them know you stand behind the open letter and expect the government to act.
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Thank you to our MP Emma Hurst for her relentless work in Parliament, and to every member and supporter who stood with her outside it, on the streets, at the rallies and behind the open letter. This win belongs to all of you.
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Thanks to the work of Emma Hurst, balloon releases are now banned in NSW, a major win for animals! Balloons released into the sky eventually come back down as deadly litter. Turtles mistake them for food, they have been found in the stomachs of seabirds, and wildlife can become tangled in their strings or slowly starve after swallowing them. A few moments of celebration should never cost an animal its life, and this legislation will save lives.
This change was only possible because of the people who signed our petition, shared our campaign and helped Emma push for change. We also want to give a special thank you to No Balloon Release Australia, who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue. The persistence has paid off!
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Anti-Vivisection World Protest
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On Saturday 17 October, AJP and YAJP members, supporters and several of our candidates joined forces with Sydney Save Animals in Laboratories, Animal Free Science Advocacy, We The Free Sydney, Vegan Action Sydney, Animal Rights Activism Sydney, Last Chance for Animals for the 4th Annual Anti-Vivisection World Protest in the heart of Pitt Street Mall.
Part of a global day of action held across 55 cities, the protest brought voices, signs and speeches to the middle of Sydney, standing together to demand an end to animal experimentation and calling for a shift toward science that no longer relies on animal suffering.
Thank you to everyone who came out with their signs and their voices.
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We joined horse advocates outside Randwick Racecourse for Speak Up for Horses: Say No to The Everest, standing against a $20 million race that puts profit before the welfare of the horses forced to run it.
Signs throughout the crowd put it bluntly: “You bet they die.” Behind the glamour of The Everest are animals pushed to their limits for entertainment and gambling, and in 2026, the Year of the Horse, it was time to say they deserve better.
Thank you to everyone who brought their signs, their voices and their passion for horses, you made sure this message was heard outside the gates.
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Our North Shore and Northern Beaches group had a brilliant day at Crows Nest Fest, with a packed stall and a strong turnout of volunteers chatting to the public about the Animal Justice Party and the work being done for animals in NSW.
Our MP Emma Hurst stopped by to spend time with candidates Susan (Wakehurst) and Karin (Willoughby), and with the community, talking through what’s happening in Parliament and how our movement is working to help animals, people and the community alike.
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Dogs were out in force too, stopping by for a free biscuit and a pat, and we had Emma’s new election flyers out alongside information on all our current campaigns.
Sunny skies, good vibes and a steady stream of conversations, it was a genuine boost for the team on the ground.
A huge thank you to our volunteers, candidates and everyone who stopped by the stall to chat, sign a petition or say hello to the dogs, days like this only work because of you.
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Our stall was out again this year for the Granny Smith Festival, another sunny day with the same good, positive vibes we’d had at Crows Nest Fest.
The street came alive with a parade of dancers and music, including Korean traditional dance and the Golden Kangaroos Marching Band, with one of our own volunteers getting into the spirit in a kangaroo suit. We also ran a raffle for a hamper full of vegan goodies.
Dogs of all sizes stopped by our stall for a drink, some shade and a free doggy biscuit, and Emma Hurst dropped in to say hello to the team and the community.
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, signed a petition or said hello to the dogs, it was another great day for the party on the ground.
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Port Macquarie Foreshore Markets
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The Port Macquarie team had a great day meeting the community at the Spring Market on 10 October, rain and all. The wet weather didn’t stop plenty of pats and attention for the stall’s star greyhounds, Lilli, Tashi and Penny, while volunteers handed out dog treats and got petitions signed between cuddles.
New members were welcomed, and the community heard about the importance of voting AJP to keep Emma Hurst in Parliament, fighting for animals, people and the planet.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat, a pat or a treat, greyt work from the whole team!
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Young AJP’s Great Global Greyhound Walk
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Our Young Animal Justice Party NSW team teamed up with Greyhound Rescue NSW for the Great Global Greyhound Walk this month, spending the day walking, playing with and helping provide enrichment for greyhounds in care, with plenty of cuddles along the way.
Thank you to everyone who came along on the day, and a special thank you to Greyhound Rescue NSW for having us, we can’t wait to work alongside you again.
It’s days like this that show the next generation of animal advocates is already out there, leads in hand, showing up for the animals who need it most.
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These local catch ups are a great way to meet like minded people and get involved in building the future of the movement. Membership is the first step, so join the Animal Justice Party today and you can connect with a local regional group, getting involved and making a difference for animals, people and the planet.
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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!
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AJP Stall at the Mangrove Mountain Markets
Sunday 1 November | 9am–2pm
Mangrove Mountain Hall
RSVP to the Facebook event
AJP NSW – Rally for the Brumbies
Sunday 1 November | 10am–2pm
King George Park
RSVP to the Facebook event
North Shore & Northern Beaches Candidates Meet & Greet
Sunday 1 November | 4pm–6pm
Allambie Heights Community Hall
RSVP to the Facebook event
NSW Premiere, What Happened to Olivia?
Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 7:30pm
Dendy Cinemas Newtown, Sydney
RSVP to the Facebook event
🎟️Buy tickets here
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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.
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In solidarity with all animals,
The Animal Justice Party NSW Team and NSW State Committee
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As always, thank you for all you do for animals.
The Animal Justice Party NSW Team
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