MEDIA STATEMENT: 7th MAY 2020

DECISION TO ALLOW HUNTERS BACK INTO STATE FORESTS FROM FRIDAY SLAMMED BY ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has slammed the NSW Minister for Agriculture’s decision to allow hunters to recommence animal slaughter in State Forests. The Minister announced yesterday that NSW State Forests would not only be open for hunting from Friday, but that hunters will have their licenses extended by an extra four weeks free of charge.

Please see statement below from Emma Hurst MLC:

While millions of Australians remain out of work, and businesses are collapsing and desperate for a reprieve from COVID-19 restrictions, the Agriculture Minister has decided that the priority area for an ease on restrictions is the bloodlust-filled coward’s past time activity of hunting. In light of the current pandemic and ongoing bushfire recovery operations, this barbaric decision is both short-sighted and extremely dangerous.

With strict restrictions still in place to protect our communities from COVID-19, it makes no sense to allow people back into our State Forests to stalk, shoot, slaughter and gut defenceless animals. Given experts believe that the coronavirus originated from the wildlife trade, the Minister’s decision to re-open our own backyard slaughter and consumption of wildlife should not be a priority.

Very few people accept the violent pastime of killing  animals, and the Minister should be forced to explain why a hunting minority group have been given priority for eased restrictions. 

Following the summer bushfires – which burned 5.5 million hectares of NSW land and left over a billion wild animals dead – what NSW needs is an urgent moratorium on all activities putting wild animals at risk, not more killing. Wildlife carers are still working day and night to rehabilitate and release animals injured in the bushfires. This decision means that all their hard work could be undone by a single bullet.

The Government should be protecting animals and the health of our communities by ending wildlife slaughter, not encouraging it to go ahead.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 24th  APRIL 2020

EMMA HURST MLC SLAMS SUPREME COURT DECISION TO OVERTURN CONVICTION OF 'SICKENING ACT' OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN CAMPBELLTOWN

Yesterday evening it was reported that Daniel Brighton – the owner of a mobile petting zoo that includes koalas, macaques, exotic birds, crocodiles and many other species – who was previously given the longest custodial sentence (3 years and 4 months) on record for a RSPCA NSW prosecution, has had his convictions overturned on appeal.

Mr Brighton stabbed a dog with a pitchfork six times, hung her from a tree alive with the pitchfork still in her body, and then, some time later, beat her with a mallet eight times to finish killing her. A witness said he was “laughing and joking” during the attack.

“If impaling a dog to a tree with a pitchfork is not a crime in New South Wales – then we need to urgently review our Crimes Act,” said Ms Hurst.

"This was a sickening act of animal cruelty. The courts have failed to protect animals. Our weak laws in NSW allow for lenient sentences and little to no punishment for acts of abuse and violence. The community will not stand for this.

“Extensive research has shown a strong link between animal and human abuse, suggesting perpetrators commonly recommit acts of violence against humans and animals in the future.

“Anyone who beats and impales a dog is a risk to the community and to other animals. This man should not walk free in the community.

“The Netflix docuseries the Tiger King showed what violent people can do to both humans and animals. Have we just let our own notorious petting zoo owner walk free and continue to keep animals and use them for profit in Australia?

“This man stabbed, beat and impaled a dog to a tree – and he owns a business where he is in charge of multiple animals and their ongoing welfare. He is also allowed to interact with children every day in his work. Most individuals convicted of animal cruelty are still able to pass a Working With Children Check. We are calling for anyone found guilty of animal abuse to be denied and/or lose their WWCC.

“People who are violent are violent. If we continue to allow people charged with animal cruelty to get away with it, then we accept violence in our society. Australians hate animal cruelty, and we need to have a no tolerance stance against those that intentionally hurt animals," said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 22nd APRIL 2020

TIGER KING OFFERED US A CHANCE TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE. WE FAILED.

Emma Hurst, MLC for the Animal Justice Party and former psychologist, has spoken out against the Netflix docuseries Tiger King, slamming public sympathy for Joe Exotic as “disturbing” and “repulsive".

“Let me put this bluntly - he is not quirky because he has a bad haircut. He is a violent man who used and abused animals for profit, and who planned to kill a woman who wants to protect those animals,” said Ms Hurst.

Ms Hurst - who has been campaigning on behalf of animals for over 25 years - recently held a roundtable in NSW Parliament, highlighting the link between animal abuse and human violence, and is now working on legislative changes to protect animal victims in domestic violence.

Ms Hurst has experienced threats from animal abusers herself, including being hit by a car, receiving death threats, and threats of sexual violence.

“The silence around the violence exposed in this docuseries - both toward animals and women - suggests to me that there is still a pervasive acceptance of violence in our society, especially toward women who men consider ‘deserve it’,” said Ms Hurst.

“Joe Exotic’s behaviour is the perfect example of what psychologists call ‘the link’ – a correlation found in copious research that highlights a glaringly obvious fact: violence does not discriminate. Those who harm animals are likely to also harm people.

“David Bekowitz, Jeffrey Dahmer and Edmund Kemper are all serial killers - and they all abused animals.

“People who are violent are violent. If we continue to downplay violence toward animals by finding entertainment in a docuseries about violence towards women and animals - instead of calling out the abuse - then we as a society are condoning this violence.

“As a victim of threats and violence myself, I don’t accept it. I will continue to stand up and speak on behalf of animals who need protection. I will continue to stand by victims like Carole Baskin and any other woman who has been the victim of violence,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 11^th MARCH 2020

CITY OF SYDNEY MOVES TO BAN FUR IN AUSTRALIAN FIRST: 

ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP SAYS COUNCIL IS LEADING THE WAY FOR CHANGE

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst - who has been working closely with the Lord Mayor on the issue of fur and the banning of fur sales - has congratulated the Council on monday night’s Mayoral Minute revealing intentions of the Council to move to become ‘fur free’. 

“This fantastic first step by Clover Moore and the City of Sydney to ban fur sales will cement them as the most progressive council here in Australia. I am excited to see the City of Sydney listening to local resident’s concerns about animal cruelty,” said Ms Hurst.

“It is time- the heinous animal abuse within the fur trade is well known and fur is not considered fashion. Fur is simply dead,” said Ms Hurst.

Fur bans overseas in the UK and US saw some concerns raised around recycled fashion and vintage fur coats becoming landfill if not allowed to be sold at markets and stalls. 

“An innovative aspect of the work the Animal Justice Party is doing with the City of Sydney is to encourage people to donate any vintage coats to Snuggle Coats – an organisation turning old fur into pouches for orphaned wildlife,” continued Ms Hurst.

“After the bushfires and with so many orphaned and injured animals we can’t think of anything more positive than to give these coats back to the animals.

“Over 50 million animals suffer and die as victims of the fur trade. The people of Sydney would be horrified if they saw what goes on behind the scenes in this barbaric industry. Animals in the fur trade are killed by anal electrocution, gassing, breaking their necks, or skinning them alive – these are all inhumane and often ineffective methods designed to avoid damage to their fur.

“I’m confident that other Councils will be following City of Sydney’s lead, and just as Councils all around Australia progressively banned circuses on Council land, I think the action of Councils in 2020 will be to ban fur.

“We have seen Councils in the UK make similar bans but this is the first Council making steps towards the same change here in Australia. It is great to see the City of Sydney being leaders on ethical animal policies,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 4^th MARCH 2020

MP JOINS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY DEMANDING URGENT ACTION FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL VICTIMS OF ABUSE

Domestic violence protest Rally4Hannah will be held in Civic Park, Newcastle on Wednesday March 4 from 6pm.

Animal Justice Party Upper House MP Emma Hurst will be speaking of both human and animal victims of domestic violence this Wednesday, following the death of yet another Australian woman and her children at the hands of an abusive partner.

“Nine women have died at the hands of their abuser this year. That is nine too many,” said Ms Hurst.

“There’s a plethora of research confirming a link between domestic violence and animal abuse. Many people who have been violent to animals are later violent towards a human, so we need to take issues of animal abuse much more seriously in this state if we hope to ever overcome domestic violence. 

“Research shows that up to 70 percent of domestic and family victims report abuse of their companion animal, and many victims delay seeking refuge to provide safety to an animal.

“Perpetrators often use animals as tools to hurt and traumatise human victims of domestic violence. I have personally heard stories of abusers drowning family dogs in the pool and choking rabbits to death with kitchen utensils,” said Ms Hurst.

Ms Hurst recently held a roundtable into the link between animal abuse and domestic violence in NSW Parliament. Together with domestic violence survivors, advocacy workers, policy experts, NSW police and the RSPCA, Ms Hurst is developing a suite of legislative changes needed to better support human victims and their companion animals.

“It has been made clear to me that human and animal victims remain at extreme risk under our current laws,” continued Ms Hurst.

“Even if victims of domestic violence can leave with their animals they are not safe. Shelters and refuges often do not house companion animals, and it is difficult to secure rental accommodation when fleeing with an animal.

“We need legislative changes to allow victims to take custody of their companion animals, include animals on ADVOs, and ensure all rental accommodation becomes companion animal friendly.

“I will be also fighting for changes to our legislation that include ensuring animal abuse is explicitly listed as a domestic violence offence, and abusers are unable to pass a working with children or disability services check.

“It is time Australia recognised that animals are domestic violence victims in their own right. Only when we address all facets of abuse will we make real steps toward ending Australia’s domestic violence epidemic,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA STATEMENT: 25th FEBURARY 2020

STATEMENT FROM ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MLC EMMA HURST IN RELATION TO THE ESCAPE OF BABOONS USED IN MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION IN SYDNEY

Medical research often involves painful and pointless procedures forced on animals against their will. These baboons must be feeling so frightened and so alone – seeing the faces of these victims has left the public shocked and distressed. Hundreds of primates are still being held captive in similar medical experimentation facilities in and around Sydney.

Medical experimentation is the most hidden of all animal-use industries. There is a total lack of transparency in an effort to avoid public scrutiny. These are the hidden faces behind animal experimentation in this country. I hope the world sees them.

Australians hate animal cruelty and will be shocked today to hear about the huge number of animals still forced into cruel animal experimentation. Primates are intelligent and aware animals – they deserve so much better than what humans have done to them.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 21^ST JANUARY 2020

ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY CONDEMNS ‘GREEN XENOPHOBIA’ GONE MAD IN GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR LARGEST MASS SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS FOLLOWING BUSHFIRES 

Animal Justice MPs Emma Hurst and Mark Pearson say they are horrified at the recent plan announced by NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean to conduct the state’s largest ever mass slaughter of non-native animals. It is understood the Minister’s announcement followed pressure from Greens MP Cate Faehrmann. 

“This ecological cleansing madness needs to stop. We have already lost over 1.25 billion animals in the bushfires – why are the NSW Government and the Greens intent on raising that number even further?” said Ms Hurst.

“Statements from Ms Faehermann that she is “thrilled” about this planned mass-killing of animals shows how out of touch the Greens are - both with the latest science regarding introduced animals, and with the feelings of everyday Australians who have already seen enough pain, suffering and bloodshed this bushfire season.

“If the Greens and the Environment Minister were serious about taking action to protect native animals and threatened species, they would be supporting our call for a moratorium on activities that are really threatening native animals such as logging, deforestation, and the slaughter of our native wildlife such as kangaroos for profit - all which are still continuing, despite the enormous loss of over a billion animals in the bushfire season.

MLC Mark Pearson wrote to the Minister over a week ago calling for food drops to save bush fire survivors. “This Rambo operation will be costing thousands- that money could be used to drop food for threatened species to ensure they actually survive”, Mr Pearson stated. 

“Further, mass killing of non-natives could cause greater loss of life for threatened species. Poisons like 1080 are often accidentally ingested by companion animals and threatened native species, and cause a slow, agonizing death for any animal unfortunate enough to ingest it,” Mr Pearson added.

As Australians remain distraught by the unprecedented number of wild animals that have perished in the past months, Ms Hurst is urging the Minister to look toward kinder, more humane solutions to aim to reduce the loss of life this bushfire season – not increase it.

“We have been contacted by an increasing number of community members who are furious by the decision of the NSW Government to go on a killing spree,” said Ms Hurst.

“Now, more than ever, we need to be looking at the latest ecological research to find new, sustainable ways to manage the relationship between humans, native animals and non-native animals in the wild. Ecologists are increasingly recognising that eliminating non-native species - particularly those that have been around for several years - can be counter-productive. 

“Demonising and seeking to eradicate non-native species ignores some of the benefits that these animals can bring to an ecosystem or, conversely, some of the unintended harm that might occur if they are suddenly removed – particularly in this fragile, bushfire-ravaged environment.

“Making rash decisions to kill animals, fuelled by green xenophobia, is not the answer,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 19^TH DECEMBER 2019

MP JOINS SEA WORLD PROTEST CALLING ON THE PARK TO STOP THE DOLPHIN ‘CIRCUS’

Sea World is reported to have nearly 30 dolphins in captivity – many born and bred in the park – who perform tricks on a daily basis. Despite evidence showing that dolphins suffer in captivity, Sea World continues to profit off these captive animals, a source of outrage for animal advocates across Queensland and Australia.

“I am disgusted that Sea World continues to breed these highly intelligent animals so that they can profit from circus-style shows,” said Ms Hurst.

“Dolphins in captivity can live for up to 50 years. That means that the dolphins any of us saw here as children could still be in the same pools, doing the same meaningless and demeaning tricks.

“Dolphins are wild animals, not objects to be used for our entertainment. Imprisoning them in artificial pools risks teaching children dominance and disrespect for animals.

“Dolphinariums are quickly gaining the worldwide reputation of being akin to “ABUSEment parks” as the public question whether sentient animals should be forced to perform,” said Ms Hurst.

A recent global shift toward banning the use of captive dolphins for human entertainment has left Australia lagging behind, despite an Australian Senate report recommending that dolphin captivity be phased out over 30 years ago.

“Chile, Costa Rica and Croatia have all banned imprisoning cetaceans in captivity for entertainment. The Canadian Parliament recently passed a bill to prohibit the breeding or holding of dolphins and whales in captivity. Australia is falling behind,” continued Ms Hurst.

“India banned keeping dolphins in captivity for entertainment back in 2013. Brazil, Luxembourg and Norway all have highly restrictive standards making it near impossible to keep cetaceans in captivity. The UK’s last dolphinarium closed over 20 years ago.

“There is clearly growing global recognition that keeping dolphins in captivity is not acceptable. The real question here is: what is Australia waiting for?” said Ms Hurst.

What: Over 50 local activists will be protesting outside Sea World with Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst demanding an end to captive breeding and the use of dolphins in circus-style shows

When: Sunday, December 22nd, 10am 

Where: Sea World Drive Main Beach Gold Coast 

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 12^th DECEMBER 2019

NSW GOVERNMENT DECISION TO REMOVE PROTECTIONS AT BATEMANS MARINE PARK “SHORT-SIGHTED AND INHUMANE”

The Hon. Emma Hurst MP has slammed today’s decision by the NSW Government to roll back marine protections at Batemans Marine Park, saying it is “short sighted and inhumane”.

“This shockingly short-sighted decision by the NSW Government removes marine protections only one day after a comprehensive report by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Humane Society International has shown Critically Endangered Grey Nurse Sharks in these very waters are facing extinction,” said Ms Hurst.

“Our marine life is facing threats from all sides. Our oceans are polluted, climate change is destroying what is left of our marine environments, and now we are reducing what minimal protections they have.

“Our Government should not be encouraging cruel fishing practices such as line and spear fishing in an already delicate marine environment that thousands of sentient animals call home.

“There is clear scientific evidence that fish are intelligent and have the ability to feel pain. Knowingly causing harm to an intelligent, sentient animal is unethical and inhumane.

“Encouraging more people to get involved in animal cruelty and support a brutal industry that has devastated our State’s precious marine environments is unconscionable,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 14^th NOVEMBER, 2019

NSW PARLIAMENT SUPPORTS QUEEN ELIZABETH BY DECLARING “FUR IS FIRMLY OUT OF FASHION” DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM NSW LIBERAL AND NATIONAL PARTIES

Today the New South Wales Legislative Council supported a Notice of Motion congratulating Queen Elizabeth II for removing cruel animal fur from her wardrobe and declaring that “fur is firmly out of fashion”.

The motion, tabled by the Animal Justice Party, received support from Labor, Christian Democrats, Independent Justin Field and The Greens, however MP Emma Hurst said it was disappointing that the New South Wales Liberal and National Parties, along with One Nation chose not to endorse the decision made by Australia’s head of state.

“Today the NSW Liberal and National Parties and One Nation rejected the opportunity to support the Queen’s ethical decision to condemn the cruel fur trade, and in doing so, continue their own support of an industry with a long history of animal cruelty,” said Ms Hurst.

“The Government’s unwavering support for extreme animal abuse is incredibly disconcerting, and shows they are completely out of touch with community sentiment and now the beliefs of our Head of State,” said Ms Hurst.

One Nation’s Mark Latham’s response to the motion of “who cares”, shocked the House and prompted Ms Hurst to remind the Members that compassion does not need to have limitations.

“Who cares about the millions of animals being held in cages and slaughtered, or who face a slow death trapped in limb crushing steel traps? It is unconscionable to say, ‘who cares’,” said Ms Hurst.

“Over 50 million animals suffer and die as victims of the international fur trade. This includes kangaroos, murdered right here in New South Wales and exported to regions including Europe, Asia and the United States.

“Our laws not only condone the murder of innocent, sentient animals for this barbaric trade, but we continue to support this cruel industry by allowing animal fur including that from bears, seals, possums, rabbits and racoons to be imported and sold within our state.

“Animals in the fur trade are killed by anal electrocution, gassing, breaking their necks, or skinning them alive – these are all inhumane and often ineffective methods designed to avoid damage to their fur.

“Allowing our state to support this barbaric, disgraceful industry is horrific. Despite the Liberal and National Party’s opposition, it is encouraging that the majority of the Upper House recognises this and is willing to take action.

“Everyone, from the Queen to the community here in New South Wales, knows that we don't need to abuse and kill animals in order to look luxurious. It is time the New South Wales Liberal and National Parties, along with One Nation recognise this too,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA RELEASE: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792