MEDIA RELEASE: 13^th November, 2019

PASSING OF “RIGHT TO FARM” BILL SIGNALS MORE DIRTY DEALS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND SHOOTERS, FISHERS AND FARMERS PARTY

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has slammed the Right to Farm Bill, which passed through the Upper House late last night. 

The Bill passed 19 to 18, following support from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. Ms Hurst says this signals another backroom deal between the Government and minor party, an alliance that previously nearly led to national parks being opened up to hunters.

“This bill does not enshrine any “right to farm”, nor will it do anything to protect people living in regional and rural New South Wales most affected by the harsh, ongoing drought and bushfires. It is simply oppressive ag-gag legislation,” said Ms Hurst.

“This draconian bill is part of a sustained witch-hunt by the Government against animal advocates in NSW, and a clear attempt to silence whistle-blowers and reduce transparency.  

“Illegal hunting – identified by NSW Police as the number one cause of farm trespass – has barely received a mention from the Minister throughout the entire debate on this Bill. 

“The Government’s refusal to acknowledge the problem of  illegal hunting is not surprising, given this bill passed only because of the support of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, and with the Government in turn supporting amendments by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers to their own Bill. 

“It is scary to think about what dirty deals went on to get this horrific piece of ag-gag legislation over the line, particularly given the last time the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers did a deal with the Government, it was to try to open up national parks to shooting.

“This Bill is about reducing transparency in the animal agribusiness industry. It will reduce transparency in the intensive piggeries, where pigs are still confined in sow stalls and farrowing crates, and in slaughterhouses, where animals are hung and have their throats slit, and in the broiler meat industry, where you see chickens grow so big so fast their bodies collapse under their own weight.

“The Australian public have a right to know what life looks for the millions of animals that are intensively farmed for food in our country each year.

“The more the New South Wales Government seeks to shield animal agribusiness from scrutiny, the more suspicious the community is becoming about what they are trying to hide.

“I will not, and the Animal Justice Party will not give up on fighting for animals in the animal agribusiness industry and the public’s right to know what goes on behind closed doors. 

“The New South Wales community has a no tolerance stance to animal cruelty and will not support our Government’s efforts to hide it,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 5^th November, 2019

“CRUEL” MELBOURNE CUP DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR INVESTIGATION INTO NSW HORSE RACING INDUSTRY SAYS NSW MP

Ahead of today’s Melbourne Cup, NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst is demanding the NSW Government launch an investigation on the horse racing industry.

Ms Hurst’s Notice of Motion condemning the cruel practice of sending racehorses to slaughter and supporting a Government investigation into ex-racehorses in NSW passed with cross-party support late last month, though the Berejiklian Government is yet to take action.

“With the spring racing season now well and truly underway, there is no better time for the NSW Government to launch an investigation,” said Ms Hurst.

“Our government must act on community concerns in regards to the protection of the animals used in this so-called ‘entertainment’ industry.

“Cross-party support for an investigation shows that the horrific cruelty inflicted upon these animals is being recognised. 7.30 exposed the racing industry for what it is: a brutal business built on the suffering of thousands of animals.

“The horse racing industry, who thrive on gambling money, are clearly unable to regulate themselves, and must be held to account.

“It has become clear to many Australians that today’s Melbourne Cup is nothing but a blood-sport built on the suffering of thousands of gentle animals who are quite literally running for their lives. 

“Here in NSW, the community is questioning just how many of these horses come from stables in our state, and how many will face a brutal end at abattoirs and knackeries across Australia.

“As the Melbourne Cup is run today, millions will look on disgusted as innocent, intelligent and sentient animals are whipped and forced to race until many experience horrific internal bleeding and risk a painful sudden death.

“The ongoing revelations of the traumatic injuries, drug abuse, horrific breakdowns, and brutal slaughter faced by these horses should be what stops the nation. To see a rich and callous minority continue in their attempts to glamorise this horrific animal abuse is incredibly disturbing.

“Community outrage over the web of deception surrounding NSW racing is not going away. They have finally seen the truth of this brutal industry, and they are demanding action,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 30^th October 2019

NSW EGG INDUSTRY’S DIRTY PLAN SUPPORTED BY LABOR IN UPPER HOUSE INQUIRY

Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the “Use of Battery Cages for Hens in the Egg Production Industry” the Hon. Emma Hurst MLC, has hit out at the Opposition following today’s release of the inquiry report, calling their support for the cage egg industry and plans for misleading labelling “repulsive”. 

Amendments to the report as pushed by industry lobby groups, saw the time frame for a phase out removed and limited to ‘conventional cages’ in favour of so-called ‘furnished cages’. 

“While furnished cages are used overseas, the NSW Egg Industry revealed during the inquiry that their proposed definition of a furnished caged is eerily similar to the battery cage,” said Ms Hurst.

“Industry’s proposed definition for a furnished cage allows only 550cm² per hen, by contrast overseas furnished cages are at least 750cm²,” said Ms Hurst.

NSW Labor amendments recommended an industry-heavy ‘working group’ to decide on the definition, meaning that the NSW version of a furnished caged could see hens with exactly the same space restrictions as they currently have in a battery cage.  

“I am appalled that Labor is supporting the industry's desire to lie to consumers and use fancy words to confuse and hide the truth,” continued Ms Hurst.

“I am deeply concerned that industry will tell consumers that battery/conventional cages are being phased out. In reality these new so-called ‘furnished cages’ will be no better- or possibly worse- than the conditions hens are in now.

“I am revolted at the failure of the Government and the Opposition to support a recommendation for an enforceable, time-based phase out of all cages at either a state or national level. 

“This inquiry received over 14,000 submissions, the overwhelming majority of which called for a phase out of the cage system. The Government and Opposition are neglecting the staggering volume of evidence we heard from welfare groups, experts, and the wider community who feel the industry is long overdue for serious reform.

“It is sickening that the Government and NSW Labor have chosen to continue to condemn millions of hens to these inhumane conditions. 

“Despite this unethical and barbaric decision, I will not, and the Animal Justice Party will not give up. Together with the people of NSW, we will continue to demand that the cruel caged hen industry is brought to an end” said Ms Hurst.

PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TODAY AT 1.15PM IN NSW PARLIAMENT HOUSE COURTYARD (LEVEL 9)

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 18th October 2019

"HORSE RACING EXPOSÉ DEMANDS A ROYAL COMMISSION" SAYS ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP EMMA HURST

Following 7:30’s explosive story on the Australian horse racing industry, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst is demanding a Royal Commission into the Australian racing industry.

The exposé showed racehorses being cruelly slaughtered and serious breaches of retirement form declarations and traceability rules. The Australian community is up in arms over the cruel mistreatment of thousands of animals.

“The horse racing industry is an inherently cruel and corrupt business prioritising profit over animals,” said Ms Hurst. 

“The community is outraged over the web of deception surrounding industry figures and participants. They have finally seen the truth of this brutal industry.

“The revelation that the number of racehorses the industry says it slaughtered in one year is in truth the number killed in a single week at just one abattoir, not only shows the racing industry lacks integrity, but that it has has lost its social licence.

“Approximately 15,000 thoroughbred foals are bred each year in Australia to the monied elite who for too long have turned a blind eye to the life and ongoing suffering of the animals.

“After a life of whipping, and often painful injuries, the Australian public now knows the final destination of these gentle animals is often an abattoir - despite authorities telling the public otherwise. It is a cruel end to a life of suffering.

“We cannot allow this to continue. Horses are innocent, intelligent and sentient animals. The horse racing industry, who thrive on the greedy pursuit of profit, must be held to account.

“This report has exposed the racing industry for what it is. A brutal business built on the suffering of thousands of animals. It can no longer be glamorised by a rich and callous minority who profit on horses quite literally running for their lives.

“The Government must launch an immediate investigation on this animal cruelty in NSW. The revelations from this investigation demand a Royal Commission,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA STATEMENT: 2nd OCTOBER 2019

TRIPADVISOR’S DECISION TO SEVER TIES WITH CRUEL DOLPHIN PARKS WELCOMED BY NSW ANIMAL JUSTICE MP

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has welcomed the news that TripAdvisor has confirmed they will sever all ties with businesses that breed or import captive whales and dolphins.

TripAdvisor released a statement today stating that commercial enterprises that “either breeds or imports cetaceans for public display will be banned from sale on TripAdvisor and Viator. Products currently on sale and found to breach the new rules will be removed over the next few months, with the policy in full force by the end of 2019.”

Quotes attributable to Ms Hurst:

“This decision may influence the outcome of a current NSW Upper House inquiry that is considering the welfare impacts for these animals and the need for NSW legislation to end breeding and use of dolphins for ‘entertainment’.

"Holding dolphins captive in chlorinated swimming pools to swim endless laps day in day out is completely out of line with community expectations. Other businesses should take note, this must be the last generation of cetaceans imprisoned for so-called human ‘entertainment’.

“This decision sends a clear message to travel companies and businesses worldwide that this cruel industry no longer has a place in tourism.

“Dolphins and other cetaceans are smart and self-aware. Imprisoning them for life under the guise of education or entertainment is unethical and inhumane.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 26th SEPTEMBER 2019

EXOTIC ANIMALS IMPRISONED FOR ‘ENTERTAINMENT’ IN NSW ONE STEP CLOSER TO FREEDOM AS PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY IS ANNOUNCED

A long awaited Parliamentary Inquiry into the exhibition of exotic animals in circuses and the exhibition of cetaceans in NSW has been announced today, following months of campaigning by concerned communities across the state.

Animal Justice Party MP the Hon. Emma Hurst MLC will serve as Deputy Chair, and has credited the hard work of Animal Justice Party members and activists for ensuring that the Inquiry secured the support of the NSW Government.

“This inquiry into the use of animals for so-called ‘entertainment’ is long overdue,” said Ms Hurst.

“It has been clear for years that the New South Wales community is horrified we are still allowing wild animals including lions, monkeys and dolphins to be imprisoned and forced to perform for human ‘entertainment’.

“Holding wild animals captive and forcing them to carry out unnatural, mindless tricks is cruel and inhumane. These are animals who suffer a lifetime of stress, boredom, frustration and lethargy to provide a dwindling number of people with a few minutes of “entertainment”.

“There is no educational value in seeing an animal being forced into a tiny space to perform for baying crowds. Allowing this animal abuse to go ahead simply teaches dominance and disrespect.

“New South Wales is falling behind on animal protection. Over forty councils and one territory in Australia have already banned the use of exotic animals in the circus. It is clear that this awful form of animal exploitation is completely out of line with community expectations. 

“Our weak laws have failed these animals long enough. This inquiry is the first step to putting an end to the use of animals in ‘entertainment’ once and for all,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA STATEMENT: 24th SEPTEMBER 2019

ABORTION LAW REFORM ACT 2019 CO-SPONSOR THE HON. EMMA HURST MLC "RELIEVED" AS BILL PASSES IN UPPER HOUSE

Animal Justice Party MP the Hon. Emma Hurst MLC and cosponsor of the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019, is celebrating last night’s landmark upper house decision to finally pass the Bill after weeks of heavy debate.

Quotes attributable to Ms Hurst:

“This is another step toward finally allowing women here in NSW full control over their own bodies.

“After hours of heated debate, the House has finally agreed to support the Bill, support women, and bring us back into line with other states. Now let's hope the Lower House supports the Bill as it is, without further amendments.

“All women, regardless of their income, location, race, culture, or education should have safe access to reproductive healthcare services, including abortions. Last night’s decision is a big step in the right direction to achieving this goal.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 17th SEPTEMBER 2019

‘RIGHT TO FARM’ BILL TO BE RENAMED ‘RIGHT TO HARM’ BILL, SAYS ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has slammed the Right to Farm Bill* that has been tabled by the NSW Government today, declaring that if the Bill reaches the Upper House, one of her first amendments will be to change its name to the Right to Harm Bill.

“This new Right to Harm Bill, as it should truthfully be called, is another attempt by this Government to stifle transparency and silence members of the community,” said Ms Hurst.

“The Bill is designed to silence advocates and community members that live nearby agribusiness facilities. It aims to ensure that animal cruelty, unsafe hygiene practices, environmental hazards, and inhumane working conditions in the intensive animal agriculture industry remain behind closed doors, and go undetected and unreported.

“In a new low for this Government, the Bill seeks to stop neighbours of animal agribusiness facilities from speaking out and taking legal action in respect of the myriad of issues known to be associated with living near a factory farm.

“These are intensive agriculture facilities that imprison tens of thousands of animals at any given time, meaning there is often a consistently high amount of animal-waste, dead bodies of animals decaying before they can be disposed of and infestations of rats. These conditions are known to create serious odour issues, cause environmental damage and create an unsafe and unhygienic living environment for those living around the property.

“This latest move by the NSW Agriculture Minister will see home-owners silenced and stripped of the ability to protect their right to live in a peaceful, healthy environment in their own home.

“This Bill harms the community, harms animals and harms the environment. If the Bill makes it to the Upper House, I will be doing everything I can to fight against it.”

*The Right to Farm Bill will make trespass on farms punishable by up to three years jail time, and restrict the right of property owners to bring nuisance claims against neighbouring farms in respect of disturbances such as pollution, odour and noise - https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3670

This Bill is on top of the other ag-gag laws introduced by the NSW and Federal Government over the past two months, including the Biosecurity Amendment (Biosecurity Management Plans) Regulation 2019 (NSW) and the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 (Cth).

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA STATEMENT: 16th SEPTEMBER 2019

ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP SUPPORTS NATIONAL PARTY'S CALLS FOR LABELLING CHANGES

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792

MEDIA RELEASE: 13th SEPTEMBER 2019

ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP CONFRONTS DEPUTY PREMIER ABOUT COMMENTS TOWARDS VEGAN ACTIVISTS

Today at the Budget Estimate Hearings in NSW Parliament, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst blasted Deputy Premier John Barilaro on his labelling of animal advocates as “domestic terrorists."

Ms Hurst asked the Deputy Premier “Do you not think that that is offensive to people who are genuinely the victims of terrorist acts? We’ve had a terrorist act recently in New Zealand with extreme violence, with people who have had family members killed. When you water down that term to refer to somebody who wants to protect animals, do you not realise how offensive that is?”

A furious Mr Barilaro said he stood by his comments.

Please see below a statement from Emma Hurst MLC on the Deputy Premier’s remarks:

“The word terrorism is being bulldozed by the government to push a political agenda. It's being used against those who fight against the unjust and cruel treatment of animals.

“The Deputy Premier should be held to account for misusing this word. It's offensive to the victims of real acts of terrorism, and completely ignores growing community concern about the treatment of animals in the intensive animal agribusiness industry.”

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792