Animal Justice Party South Australia in action
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Who we are
The Animal Justice Party South Australia is an active, passionate political group. We made a stunning debut in the 2018 South Australian election, and we are now starting to look ahead to the next federal election. We plan to stand 2 candidates in the Senate, and candidates in 10 lower house seats.
In this coming campaign, we'll be focusing on the national issues of live export, factory farming, kangaroo killing and the establishment of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare.
Watch this space for further information about our candidates and their backgrounds.
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What we've been doing
Afternoon Tea Fundraiser. Thanks to everyone who helped to make our second afternoon tea a success. Over 30 people gathered on 3 February to listen to raise funds for our election campaign, listen to some beautiful music, eat cake and drink tea ... a successful event all around.
An afternoon of wildlife. AJP SA hosted a wonderful movie and discussion afternoon on Sunday 9 December. We screened the ground-breaking film, 'Kangaroo', and held a discussion on the similarities and differences between the management of kangaroos and the efforts to protect the Port River dolphins. Many thanks to special guest speaker, Georgie Kenning, President of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary- Action Group, for presenting the special challenges which her group faces.
Another successful AJP Quiz night: On 24th November, AJP SA hosted a second quiz night for 2019, to help us to raise money for the federal election next year. This quiz night was the biggest we've ever held, with over 150 people attending. Look out for our next quiz night ... we aim to overflow the hall next time!
Mad March in Adelaide. We'll have stalls at Womad (March 8 - 11) and Dogapalooza (March 17). Come and meet us ... we'd love to chat to you about animals and how to improve their welfare.
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AJP SA email free list
We at AJP SA have an email group called the ajp-freelist, and all AJP members are invited to use this for communication on animal related issues.
Members of the free list can email as much or as little as they like, but all ideas, opinions and information on animal matters are invited.
The current members on this list are very busy and active, and exchange informative animal related posts. They also provide friendly encouragement to one another, and support regarding letters, petitions, and updated events.
If you'd like to be part of the list, just send an email to our convenor.
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Voices for Animals Media Group
Animals have been abused for decades. It's now time for change.
Use your keyboard and pen to help bring about a new paradigm. Join our dedicated media group, Voices for animals, and let politicians and the general public know your feelings about animal abuse via the newspapers, letters and social media.
We would particularly like to hear from anyone who listens to talk-back radio regularly ... it would be good to check out the opportunities to ring in.
Just click on the image to go to our website.
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News and Views
- The Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017 was introduced to Parliament on 1 June 2017. This is an important first step in an overhaul of regulations governing ingredients commonly used in personal care products. However, there has been yet another delay in introducing a meaningful, comprehensive ban on the sale and manufacture of animal-tested cosmetics. This is not in line with community attitudes: Research completed in 2017 shows a growing concern among Australian women about make-up and skincare items which are not cruelty free. Check the Choose Cruelty Free website to see what you can do to help protect animals from cosmetic testing. We also recommend checking out the Choose Cruelty Free lists, which give details on the various companies and brands which are certified vegan, vegetarian and/or palm-oil free.
- Methane levels are rising quickly across the world, and this is threatening climate targets. Cattle are one of the contributors to methane, along with decaying vegetation, coal mines and natural gas plants. Read more about this research.
- Let's keep up the pressure on live export. The government's shocking inaction on live export doesn't reflect the feelings of around 80% of South Australians, who want live exports to stop. SPCA Australia's senior policy officer, Dr Jed Goodfellow, has pointed out that domestic processing is the only way to ensure Australian animals' welfare. Contact your local member to keep the pressure up on our politicians. Bear in mind that sheep and cattle are not the only species to suffer because of the shocking live trade industry. There are now concerns about the export of donkeys to China, for their skins to be used in Chinese medicine. Even if the animals are not exported live, there are plans to kill more donkeys here to export their hides. Please add your voice to stop this happening.
- We think that laboratory animals should enjoy retirement. Beagle Freedom Australia, in conjunction with other organisations such as the Animal Justice Party, is working to introduce legislation which means that all tax-payer funded labs have to offer their dogs and cats for adoption through rescue organisations after experiments have finished. Please help us make it happen by signing the petition, and getting your friends to sign as well. If you're interested in other animal experimentation issues, go to the Humane Research website.
- Watch www.strathmeats.com from the Strathalbyn slaughterhouse - if you can bear it. AJP has written to the minister responsible for animal welfare, David Speirs, urging him to follow the UK lead and introduce legislation to make CCTV mandatory in all slaughterhouses. If you think CCTV should be installed in slaughterhouses, email the Minister or write a letter (The Hon David Speirs, Minister for Environment, Parliament House, Adelaide 5000).
- A recent report shows how the US could reach up to three quarters of its greenhouse gas reduction target by eating beans instead of beef. Why is the AJP the only political party that recognises the impact of meat-eating on climate change? Read more
- Do you think we should know how many animals are used for research and teaching in SA? So do we, but our government refuses to tell us. Please send an email asking the Minister to stop this secrecy and follow the lead of NSW and Victoria who publish annual reports. Without statistics, we have no idea whether any progress is being made in reducing animal experiments.
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Communicate with us
email contact: secretary.ajp.sa@gmail.com | postal contact: Secretary, Animal Justice Party SA, PO Box 462, Marden 5070
Go to our Calendar of Events to find out what events are coming up in SA, or find out more about volunteering for the AJP in South Australia.
We have monthly meetings on the last Sunday of each month at 2.00pm at the Box Factory, 59 Regent St South, Adelaide. We’d love to see you there.