Spring 2014 All Animals Matter MAKING AUSTRALIA BETTER FOR ALL IN THIS ISSUE How you can be Part of the Policy Review The Animal Justice Party is currently undertaking a review of its policies and we invite you to get involved and help shape our future. The AJP has an existing suite of policies but we are seeking to ensure these are complete and up to date and cover the breadth of animal issues in today s society. We particularly need assistance with the following: Animals in Research and Teaching ; Animals in Sport and Entertainment ; Aquatic / Marine Animals ; Introduced Animals ; Animals and Sustainability ; and Animals and the Law. These broad policies will have several subsections (e.g. Jumps Racing or Sharks ). Some of these subsections have already been drafted, some need significant revision and some are yet to be written. Alternatively, if you have a particular area of expertise or interest we welcome your input for additional policy areas. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Sarah Davison at info@animaljusticeparty.org who is co- ordinating this review process. AJP Wines hit the Market See page 2 Information on how to renew membership See page 3
Celebrate in Style Whether toasting successes for the animals and soon hopefully ours or anything worth celebrating for that matter; you can now do it in taste and style. All the while benefiting the AJP and drinking award winning, discounted and animal friendly wines. Our new wine label with Goodwill Wines Many of you will already be familiar with these great wines that you can now mail / internet order to help raise much needed funds for the AJP. All those who I have spoken to who have tried them love them and so do the wine critics. Please take a look and consider purchasing some. For more information about the company and the wonderful selection of wines available please go to http://www.goodwillwine.com.au/charities/animal- justice- party You will see that there is much more than Shiraz available, so there should be something you would enjoy trying. $20 from each case sale will then be donated to the AJP. Luckily this mounts up quickly and to date tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for charities. Additionally these wines are sold to you at well below their price under the original label. With winemakers passing on limited batches of stock etc. to David at greatly reduced prices. The delivery process worked very smoothly when I ordered my case. There was tracking all the way and accurate notification of when the delivery would take place. By the way I opted for the mixed case, so I could try them all and decide which specific wines I prefer to focus on latter. We are grateful to have been the first political party that David, who set up this great company, has been willing to take on. To order your wine of choice simply go to http://www.goodwillwine.com.au/charities/animal- justice- party Taking a bottle of this wine to a social gathering or making a gift of it to someone would also be a great way to generate publicity for and start conversations hopefully around the AJP. AJP Facebook and Twitter Accounts Please note these are the link to the Official AJP Web Site Our national FB page link https://www.facebook.com/animaljusticepartyofficial?fref=ts NSW link https://www.facebook.com/pages/animal- Justice- Party- NSW/879712192044319?fref=ts and twitter handle is AJP @Justice4animals
Congratulations to Joan Pearson on her well- deserved inclusion as an OAM on the Queen s Birthday honours list For service to the community through fund- raising roles for animal welfare organisations. Joan has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a variety of animal organisation over the last dozen or so years. Fortunately for the AJP that includes us. Joan at her own expense in her home hosted two fundraisers for the AJP which enabled us to amongst other things establish the AJP Web site. In our early days as you can imagine this generosity and assistance was invaluable. Joan was one of the earliest members to sign up to the AJP and remains a very valued supporter. As well as being an amazing fundraiser Joan does much practical animal work, particularly rehoming dogs in her part of Sydney. As you know currently it is very difficult in Australia to receive official recognition for animal work making this a truly amazing achievement on Joan s part. AJP Memberships Reminder Please remember that all* AJP Memberships were due for renewal on the first of July still at the bargain price of $20 per year. We sincerely apologise to anyone who tried earlier but encountered technical difficulties with payment. Thanks to Sean McDermott, who has voluntarily worked very hard these issues have now been fixed. So please proceed to the site http://www.animaljusticeparty.org/join- us/ and press the big red button Join or Renew your $20 membership today. If you prefer you are of course welcome to post your membership fee into the AJP at PO Box 1010 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012. Please include an email address or phone number, then we can acknowledge receipt and thank you. Electronic bank transfer to the AJP account number is another payment on offer. Account name: Animal Justice Party. This also works for over the counter transactions if you prefer that BSB: 112 879 Account Number 486709975 *thank you very much to those who have already paid either by cash, cheque, postal order or electronic bank transfer to account number
Hopping Around Australia Information about AJP activities from the States and Territories representatives who wish to contribute to this newsletter Queensland by Sylvia Cooper On Saturday the 23rd August in Brisbane a small group of passionate animal advocates made their way into the city in the unrelenting rain to hear AJP president Prof. Steve Garlick and secretary Mark Pearson give us an overview of the history and achievements of the AJP and other political parties for animals internationally. A lively discussion on future possibilities for the AJP in Queensland followed, with a focus on recruiting enough Queensland members to register the AJP in Queensland by the time of the state election early next year. Not only would that provide the AJP the option of running candidates in the state election, but also open the door to fielding candidates in any local council elections. Everyone agreed this was an achievable goal to work toward and that similar meetings in north Qld cities including Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns where the AJP has active and supportive members, could help spark increased awareness and support for the AJP. Colleen is no longer able to run the Qld AJP Facebook page due to time pressure from other commitments and we are seeking a Facebook savvy Qld member to take on this important outreach activity. Please let us know if you feel inspired to support the AJP in this vital role and we can put you in touch with Colleen to find out more about what it involves. As a Facebook illiterate, I would like to thank Colleen for the wonderful job she has done with Facebook and getting the AJP message out. She has kept it interesting, informative, inspiring and is always on top of events as they happen. We all appreciate the good connections she has fostered with other Qld. groups that promote animal wellbeing by also giving them a voice well done and a million thanks, Colleen!! New South Wales by Anna Hall Thanks to Matt for so willingly and ably holding the fort, while I was on a round the world trip. While traveling around the world I was blessed to meet many people from a variety of backgrounds doing what they could to improve the lives of animals. This was a great reminder of the variety of ways we can all assist animals every day, and how much that effort is needed. Here is a photo from a wonderful rabbit sanctuary run by an amazing couple in rural Pennsylvania. Over winter Grace has diligently complied a spread sheet of NSW member s details which should assist us in keeping in contact with you all. Congratulations to President Steve Garlick with the success of his press realises on wildlife issues in NSW that were picked up by radio stations. This resulted in quite a few on air interview recently. The press releases can be read at http://animaljusticeparty.org/
Victoria by Bruce Poon Victoria goes to the polls on Sat, Nov 29. The AJP will be contesting hard for this state election, and will be fielding many candidates in both the upper and lower houses of parliament. Contact us if you can help. Some of our new candidates explain their reason for wanting to stand for the AJP... Roy Taylor Realising that animals deserve moral consideration, I became vegetarian at thirteen. I have since volunteered at Save- a- Dog, convened the Animal Activists Forum, rescued ducks, and opposed Jumps Racing. On Sundays I produce 3CR radio's 'Freedom of Species'. I will challenge legislation that hurts animals and will encourage laws that seek justice for all Victorians. Brenton Edgecombe I am a vegan of two- and- a- half years and a passionate animal advocate. I believe that the liberation of animals is the crucial step we need to take toward a peaceful world and I believe the representation of animals in our parliaments is an essential part of this process. As a professional entertainer of 17 years experience I bring the skills of public speaking and confident delivery, and familiarity with the concept of working ridiculously long hours towards an almost unachievable goal without any formal supervision. My main input to the world of animal protection so far has been the creation of my unique music and comedy character Vegan Smythe which has reportedly affected hearts and minds all around the world. Eleonora Gullone I am a psychologist and academic and my work has focussed on the negative aspects of human- animal interactions, as exemplified by my book titled Animal cruelty, Antisocial Behaviour and Aggression. On the basis of my research, I propose that if we cultivate a culture of compassion toward our citizens, both human and non- human, current and future generations will benefit through reduced antisocial and violent behaviour. Brigitte Reiche I hold the belief that animals experience a diverse range of emotions similar to humans, such as love, pain, loss, and social connectedness. My belief is that animals have the right to be free of oppression, confinement, use and abuse by humans; and treated with the dignity and respect deserved as mutually invested inhabitants of the environment. Please let us know what else you would like to see in future AJP newsletters