Animal Justice Party Queensland

14/06/2026

More than 9,000 baby green sea turtles have safely made their way to the ocean after a large-scale egg relocation effort in the northern Great Barrier Reef delivered promising results. With around 82% of relocated eggs successfully hatching, this is an encouraging outcome for a species facing growing threats.

The project involved moving eggs from Raine Island (where rising sea levels, warmer sand and unstable nesting conditions are increasingly putting nests at risk) to a safer location better suited for survival.

While this is positive news, it’s important to recognise that further research is needed to confirm whether these hatchlings are just as strong and likely to survive long term.

🐢💚 This story is both hopeful and a reminder of the bigger picture: Climate change is already reshaping critical habitats across the Great Barrier Reef, affecting not just hatchling survival but even the balance of male and female turtles.

Projects like this show what’s possible with science and collaboration, but they are not a substitute for urgent climate action.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most important ecosystems and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It needs stronger, sustained protection to ensure species like green sea turtles can survive into the future.

Because protecting wildlife means protecting the systems they depend on.

13/06/2026

Silence in the face of serious concerns for Ormiston Koalas

AJP QLD is deeply disappointed by Minister Murray Watt’s failure to respond to our request to require the Ormiston College development to be referred under the EPBC Act.

We are not alone – members of the public, advocacy groups and other MPs have also raised concerns and reported unanswered correspondence. At a time when koala habitat is under ongoing threat, ignoring these voices undermines public trust and transparency.
In a recent statement to ABC, the Minister said:

“This one has not even been referred to us… the proponent has done a self assessment… their view is that it’s not likely to have a significant impact… we’ve seen no evidence to the contrary…”

This response is concerning. It appears to rely entirely on the proponent’s self-assessment, while failing to meaningfully engage with the evidence and genuine concerns put forward by the community, scientists and elected representatives.

The EPBC Act is meant to provide a safeguard for matters of national environmental significance, particularly for endangered species like koalas. Yet this situation highlights a critical flaw: if a project is never referred, it may never be properly assessed, regardless of the risks.

We call on the Minister to engage transparently, to review the evidence provided, and to ensure that potential impacts to koalas from the Ormiston College development are properly assessed under the EPBC Act.

12/06/2026

AJP QLD is deeply disappointed by the Federal Government’s decision not to make declarations under section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act for Barrambin (Victoria Park).

These section 9 applications sought urgent, short‑term protection for areas at risk of harm from early works linked to the proposed Olympic stadium and aquatic centre. The Minister found that the statutory threshold for emergency protection had not been met.

This is despite the acknowledged cultural significance of Barrambin to the Turrbal and Yagara Peoples who are the Traditional Custodians of this living Country.

We stand in solidarity with the Turrbal and Yagara Peoples, who continue to advocate for the protection of a place of deep cultural, spiritual and historical importance.

Importantly, this is not the end of the process. The Minister has confirmed that:
- Another section 9 application remains under assessment; and
- Multiple section 10 applications are underway, supported by the appointment of a section 10 reporter to undertake a more detailed review.

Section 10 of the Act provides a pathway for longer-term protection of significant Aboriginal areas, and we hope these remaining processes deliver outcomes that genuinely respect and safeguard Country.

First Nations cultural heritage must be protected, not overridden.

We will continue to support calls for transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement with Traditional Custodians.

11/06/2026

Arnie’s Law Update

Today we met with the Queensland Attorney-General to discuss the five key reform asks behind Arnie’s Law.

The Attorney-General acknowledged how horrific Arnie’s case was and thanked the community for continuing to advocate on his behalf.

We raised the need for stronger and more effective responses to serious animal cruelty, including:

🐾 modernising laws around animal sexual abuse and animal abuse material
🐾 reviewing sentencing outcomes and penalties
🐾 stronger animal ownership bans for serious and repeat offenders
🐾 reviewing animal cruelty prosecution pathways
🐾 recognising animal sentience in Queensland law

The Attorney-General confirmed that the first 3 points that lie within her portfolio will be considered. She was particularly open to looking further at animal sexual abuse offences, animal abuse material, penalties, and how Queensland’s animal cruelty laws work together.

We also discussed the role of DPI, RSPCA Queensland and Queensland Police in animal cruelty prosecutions. This will require further discussions with Minister Perett and the Department of Primary Industries.

Recognition of animal sentience was also raised, as this was one of the original key asks of Arnie’s Law and remains important to the community.

There are no immediate commitments at this stage, and legislative reform takes time. However, the Arnie’s Law requests are being taken seriously, and today was an important step forward.

Thank you to every person who signed the petition, shared Arnie’s story, wrote to decision-makers, and stood with us. More than 129,000 people have shown that Queenslanders want stronger protections for animals.

We will continue to keep the community updated as we work through the next steps.

For Arnie, and for all animals. 🐾

11/06/2026

Justice for Imogen. Transparency for the public.

A pig named Imogen who was transported to a Queensland slaughterhouse in 2022 was unable to walk off a truck. She was left on a ramp for over an hour, where she was repeatedly hit, kicked and sprayed with a high pressure hose before being killed on the ramp.

The footage shocked the public and led to an investigation, with animal cruelty charges laid in 2023. But in November 2024, those charges were withdrawn without explanation – leaving serious questions about accountability and enforcement.
AJP QLD stands with AnimalKIND in demanding truth and transparency.

The Right to Information (RTI) process is our legal pathway to access government documents. Through this process, AnimalKIND has sought answers about why these charges were dropped. Yet repeated delays and heavily redacted responses have meant the public is still in the dark.

Farmed animals like Imogen deserve far better welfare standards than what we continue to see behind closed doors. But this is also about public trust. The community has a right to know what is happening in industries that rely on weak oversight and limited transparency.

These failures raise serious concerns about whether DPI is taking its animal welfare regulatory responsibilities seriously.

We support AnimalKIND’s ongoing fight for the truth.

Imogen deserves justice and the public deserves answers.

11/06/2026

We support Emma Hurst and Animal Justice Party NSW in trying to stop the culling of Kosciuszko brumbies.

An Open Letter to the NSW Environment Minister Regarding the Killing of Horses in Kosciuszko National Park
Dear Minister,

I write to you regarding the ongoing killing of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

Few issues have generated as much community concern and distress as the mass aerial shooting taking place right now.

The last Government aerial shooting program was horrendous - as many feared it would be. Horses were found with multiple bullet wounds. Foals were killed, while others were left orphaned and vulnerable to starvation or predation.

Many people were concerned we would see a repeat of the Guy Fawkes aerial shooting program. In some ways, what happened may have been even worse.

That's why this second killing program has ignited even more outrage. It has highlighted to the public that these large killing programs do not work. The Government claim to have killed thousands of horses, but now claim the numbers have skyrocketed again. If this is true, what this points out is that aerial shooting is a band aid solution- it is not a long-term solution. The Government cannot justify further aerial shooting - period.

I want to you to take a moment to think about each of the animals this decision effects. The fear, pain, and long-lingering deaths that this aerial kill will undoubtedly cause the horses residing at Kosciuszko National Park.

We both care about the environment and native animals. The protection of Kosciuszko's unique environment is exceptionally important. But animal welfare is important too. We can recognise both truths simultaneously.
As elected representatives, we have a responsibility to seek solutions that ensure both environmental protection and broader compassion are considered. This may not be the easy road- but it is the right road. It involves proper community consultation, opportunities for rehoming, considering the latest science and technology and looking towards humane long-term solutions rather than going down the route of taking action simply for a headline that implies action is being taken, when we know that the action itself will cause great suffering and no long-term solution.

I therefore ask you to immediately cease the current killing program and convene a genuine roundtable involving environmental scientists, animal welfare experts, rescue organisations, brumby advocates, regional communities and other stakeholders to identify a practical and humane way forward.

I have personally been calling for fertility control since I was elected seven years ago. The heartbreaking reality is that if governments had invested in these solutions when they were first proposed, the killing taking place today may have been avoided.

Trials have still not been started- instead a report was released criticising the old outdated technology in this space, and didn't give any proper consideration to the latest technology that overcomes those issues. It suggests either a total lack of interest in humane options, or a lack of understanding around the issue and the latest technology. No decision this great should ever be made in either of those scenarios.

This issue has become unnecessarily polarised. I am hearing rehomers are being blocked out from rescuing some of the horses. This has become an aggressive campaign by the Government - it is heavy handed for no reason, and the victims of this will be the animals.

We must stop 'picking sides' for political purposes, and instead stop and find the best solutions for all involved.

I urge you to show that leadership now. The shooting must stop, and a humane path forward must be found.
Yours sincerely,

Emma Hurst MP
Member of the Legislative Council

10/06/2026

🐾💧 Ban deadly yabby traps in Queensland

Enclosed yabby traps (often called “opera house” nets) are known as platypus death traps for a reason.

These traps lure animals in with bait… but once inside, they can’t escape.

Air breathing wildlife like platypus, turtles and rakali are trapped underwater and drown trying to reach the surface.

💔 It’s not just accidental – it’s preventable.

Platypus are even drawn in by movement from trapped yabbies, only to suffocate in minutes when they can’t find a way out.

Even worse, the cycle can continue as trapped animals attract more prey, leading to multiple deaths in a single trap.

Every other Australian state has taken action to ban or restrict these traps.

Queensland is the outlier.

✅ These are not harmless fishing tools
✅ Safer alternatives already exist
✅ Wildlife deaths are entirely avoidable

Our iconic platypus and freshwater wildlife deserve better than dying in a preventable “death trap”.

📣 It’s time for Queensland to act.

09/06/2026

🐾📣 Peaceful protest: Queensland Against Greyhound Racing

This August, compassionate Queenslanders are coming together at Parliament House to call for an end to greyhound racing 💔

Join a peaceful rally in Brisbane to stand up for greyhounds and demand change alongside advocates, experts and community members who believe we can do better.

Why it matters:
- Greyhounds continue to be injured and killed on tracks, and these deaths are preventable.
- Around the world, momentum is building to end greyhound racing, with bans already happening overseas and in other parts of Australia.

📢 This rally is calling for:
- An end to greyhound racing in Queensland
- Safe rehoming for all greyhounds
- A transition for workers and communities
- A better future for animals and people

💚 Because greyhounds deserve love, not exploitation.

Please join us along with AnimalKind, Greys 2nd Chance, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, Friends of the Hound - Greyhound Adoption Group:
📍 Parliament House, Brisbane
🗓️ 10am, Saturday, 1 August

🐾

08/06/2026

Please sign this important petition for the Kosciuszko brumbies in NSW. If you live outside of NSW, there is a separate petition.

🚨 URGENT: STOP THE BRUMBY MASSACRE 🚨

The last few thousands of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park face being shot from helicopters, shot on the ground, or sent to slaughter.

The Animal Justice Party-backed campaign is calling for an immediate end to the shooting of brumbies and increased investment in humane alternatives, including rehoming programs and fertility control. These solutions protect both horses and sensitive ecosystems without resorting to mass killing.

Every signature sends a message that Australians want compassion, not cruelty!

The official NSW Parliament e-petition "Suspend Brumby Culling in Kosciuszko National Park" is currently open to NSW residents and calls for a suspension of aerial and ground culling.

✍️ Sign the petition here if you are a NSW resident: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/epetition-details.aspx?q=BmohXScSptUiwqbMm5kfBg

✍️ Sign the petition here if you live elsewhere:
https://www.emmahurstmp.com/petition_stop_the_slaughter_of_brumbies

Sign today and share this post. The more voices we raise now, the harder we are to ignore. Together, we can stop the slaughter of Australia's iconic brumbies!

08/06/2026

🐾 People convicted of serious animal cruelty should not be able to own animals again.

We are calling for automatic lifetime bans for serious cruelty offences, stronger enforcement of prohibition orders, and improved systems to prevent breaches of bans.

This reform approach has also been advocated in other jurisdictions, including by NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, who has been a strong voice for stronger sentencing outcomes and lifetime bans for serious animal cruelty offenders.

In New South Wales, prohibition orders are more routinely used in serious cruelty matters, supporting stronger long-term protection for animals.

These measures are about prevention and ensuring future animals are protected from harm.