Damon Mcknight
Australia is home to a wide range of animals, from the iconic kangaroos to the wonderful sea creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. However, Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, with over 2,000 of its animals and plants at risk of extinction. This is largely due to predation by or competition with feral animals, habitat destruction, and climate change. While there is no national Australian law on animal welfare, various efforts are being made to protect Australia's wildlife. These include conservation tours, citizen science projects, and the work of organisations like the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), which protects Australia's biodiversity through science, innovation, and partnerships. Additionally, the Australian Capital Territory has recognised animals as sentient beings, and there are ongoing pushes to reform legislation to include animal sentience more broadly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Conservation efforts | The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a non-government organisation that protects Australia's unique biodiversity through science, innovation, and partnerships, restoring wildlife and landscapes at scale. |
| AWC owns, manages, or influences more land for conservation than any other non-government organisation in Australia. | |
| AWC field teams restore healthy landscapes across a vast network of protected areas in iconic places like the Kimberley, Cape York, Central Australia, and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. | |
| The Nature Conservancy Australia supports Indigenous land managers across northern Australia, such as Fish River Station, to improve fire practices and protect habitats. | |
| Eco-tourism operators like Exceptional Kangaroo Island and Echidna Walkabout offer conservation tours that contribute to scientific research and habitat conservation. | |
| The Koala Clancy Foundation is a charity that plants trees for koalas and advocates for their protection. | |
| Legal framework | The legal framework protecting animals in Australia is complex, with a multi-layered governance system involving federal, state, and local laws. |
| There is no national Australian law on animal welfare, and animal protection is not included in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. | |
| Animal welfare is not considered a priority by the Australian government, and funding for related initiatives has been ceased or reduced. | |
| The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines aim for nationally consistent objectives but fall short in practice, with concerns about their effectiveness in upholding animal welfare. | |
| The Animal Welfare Acts differentiate between farmed and companion animals, with most basic protections only covering companion animals, and some species, like fish in South Australia and Western Australia, are excluded from protection. | |
| Animals are classified as property under Australian law, and legislation fails to recognise them as sentient beings with feelings and their own interests. | |
| The Australian Capital Territory is the first jurisdiction in Australia to recognise animals as sentient beings, with proposed legislation affirming their intrinsic value and the duty of humans to care for their physical and mental welfare. |
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What You'll Learn
Protecting endangered species
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, and over 2,000 of its animal and plant species are at risk of extinction. The country has a poor track record of protecting its wildlife, with the government failing to deliver on its promise to implement stronger nature laws. This is partly due to the influence of business and mining lobby groups.
However, there are efforts being made to protect endangered species in Australia. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a non-government conservation organisation that works to protect Australia's unique biodiversity through science, innovation, and partnerships. They own, manage, or influence more land for conservation than any other non-government organisation in the country, with sanctuaries and partnership sites in iconic places like the Kimberley, Cape York, Central Australia, and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. AWC field teams restore healthy landscapes and ecosystems across a vast network of protected areas, and they are Australia's leading proponent of conservation fencing, establishing a network of large-scale feral predator-free zones across mainland Australia.
The AWC also works to protect specific species. For example, they are helping to protect phascogales, agile nocturnal marsupials, through reintroductions and habitat restoration. They also support the protection of the Eastern Quoll, which is finding refuge on some offshore, toad-free islands and is thriving on Fish River Station in the Northern Territory due to better land management practices by Traditional Owners, the Nyikina Mangala people in the Kimberley.
Other organisations are also involved in conservation efforts. For example, Echidna Walkabout is a tour operator that offers conservation tours to support a variety of Australian animals, including koalas and other wildlife in Victoria. The Koala Clancy Foundation is a charity that plants trees for koalas and advocates for their protection.
Additionally, there are efforts to protect endangered species through improved fire practices. Indigenous land managers in northern Australia, such as Fish River Station, are working to improve their fire practices to protect the habitat of the Gouldian Finch, a native Australian bird.
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Improving animal welfare standards
Australia is known for its diverse range of animals, from iconic kangaroos to the sea creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. However, the country has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, with over 2,000 of its animal and plant species at risk of extinction. This is largely due to predation and competition with feral animals, as well as habitat destruction.
Despite the complex legal framework surrounding animal welfare in Australia, there are currently no national laws specifically addressing animal welfare. Animal protection is notably absent from the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, and responsibility for animal welfare is left to individual states and territories, resulting in a lack of national coordination.
To improve animal welfare standards, Australia could consider implementing a national law that establishes basic principles and protections for animals, similar to New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act 1999. This would create a consistent and simple framework for all stakeholders to follow.
Additionally, the current classification of animals as 'property' under common law fails to recognise their sentience and intrinsic value. Recognising animal sentience in legislation would be a crucial step towards improving welfare standards. The Australian Capital Territory has taken the lead in this regard, becoming the first jurisdiction in Australia to recognise animals as sentient beings.
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (the 'Standards and Guidelines') aim for national consistency across different animal industries. However, they have been criticised for only providing minimum recommendations and largely protecting producer interests over animal welfare. To enhance their effectiveness, the Standards and Guidelines could be strengthened to define best practices and ensure mandatory compliance across all states and territories.
Furthermore, many animals are excluded from protection under the current Animal Welfare Acts, which differentiate between farmed and companion animals. Extending these protections to include a wider range of animal species would help improve welfare standards for all animals.
Conservation efforts
Various organisations are actively working to protect Australia's unique biodiversity and conserve its endangered species. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a leading conservation organisation that uses science, innovation, and partnerships to restore wildlife and landscapes. They own, manage, or influence more land for conservation than any other non-government organisation in Australia, with sanctuaries and partnership sites across iconic locations like the Kimberley, Cape York, Central Australia, and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
Other initiatives include eco-tourism experiences that contribute to conservation efforts, such as Exceptional Kangaroo Island's conservation tours and Echidna Walkabout's nature tours, which support endangered species and habitats.
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Recognising animal sentience
Australia is known for its diverse range of animals, from the iconic kangaroos to the sea creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. However, the country has the worst mammal extinction rate globally, highlighting a poor track record in protecting wildlife. Over 2,000 Australian animals and plants are at risk of extinction, and in the last decade, three native species were lost. This is largely due to predation and competition from feral animals, as well as habitat destruction.
The Australian government has been criticised for not prioritising animal welfare. There is no national law on animal welfare, and animal protection is absent from the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. The legislative framework for animal welfare is complex, with a multi-layered governance system involving federal, state, and local laws. While the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (the 'Standards and Guidelines') aim for national consistency, they have been criticised for only providing minimum recommendations and largely protecting industry interests over animal welfare.
In terms of recognising animal sentience, Australia has fallen short. Animal sentience is not explicitly recognised in Australian law at the Commonwealth or state and territory levels. Animals are classified as property under common law, and legislation fails to recognise them as beings with feelings and their own interests. This classification is reflected in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), where animals are defined as 'goods', hindering advocacy efforts for animals within the legal system.
However, there have been some positive developments. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) became the first jurisdiction in Australia to recognise animals as sentient beings. The proposed law acknowledges that animals have intrinsic value, deserve compassion, and that people have a duty to care for their physical and mental welfare. This sets a precedent for recognising animal sentience and promoting their welfare.
Despite this progress, there is still work to be done to ensure that animal welfare and sentience are recognised and protected across Australia. With the country's rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, it is crucial that legislative and community efforts work together to safeguard the well-being of animals.
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Conservation of marine ecosystems
Australia is a nation of remarkable landscapes and unique biodiversity, with plants and animals unlike anything found anywhere else in the world. However, since European settlement, hundreds of species have become extinct, and currently, nearly one in three of Australia's unique mammals is at risk of extinction. Australia's coastal marine ecosystems hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous Australians, and they include multiple World Heritage Sites.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is Australia's leading national charity dedicated solely to protecting ocean wildlife. The charity has been concerned about the impact of commercial gill net fishing on the marine wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef. In 2016, they purchased and retired two commercial fishing licences, creating a safe haven for threatened marine wildlife in the northern Great Barrier Reef.
The WWF-Australia has also been monitoring the progress of all states and territories in banning the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastic products. In 2019, they launched their first 'State of Plastics in Australia' report, and since then, most states and territories have banned most products, with others planning to do so.
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. AWC owns, manages, or influences more land for conservation than any other non-government conservation organisation in Australia. They work to restore ecosystems across their sanctuaries and partnership sites, and their reintroduction program returns animals to landscapes where they have been lost, restoring ecosystems and preventing extinctions.
Macquarie Island, located in the Southern Ocean between Tasmania and Antarctica, is one of the most important marine areas in the world for biodiversity. It is home to many threatened and endemic species. In 2023, the Macquarie Island Marine Park was expanded, creating an area roughly the size of Germany that is completely free from fishing, mining, and other extractive activities.
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Supporting conservation organisations
Australia is home to some of the world's most beautiful nature and iconic wildlife. However, it also has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, highlighting its poor track record in protecting wildlife. Over 2,000 Australian animals and plants are at risk of extinction, and in the last decade, three native species were lost to extinction. The Australian government scored an F on several threatened species recovery indicators, indicating that urgent action is needed to support threatened species.
One way to help protect Australia's wildlife is to support conservation organisations such as the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). The AWC is a global conservation leader that protects Australia's unique biodiversity through science, innovation, and partnerships, restoring wildlife and landscapes at scale. The AWC owns, manages, or influences more land for conservation than any other non-government conservation organisation in Australia. They have a vast network of protected areas in iconic places like the Kimberley, Cape York, Central Australia, and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, where their field teams restore healthy landscapes.
The AWC also focuses on conservation fencing and has established a network of large-scale feral predator-free areas across mainland Australia. They work to restore ecosystems across their sanctuaries and partnership sites, which are places where wildlife can thrive. For example, the AWC is helping protect phascogales, agile nocturnal marsupials, through reintroductions and habitat restoration. They also support Indigenous land managers across northern Australia, such as the Nyikina Mangala people in the Kimberley, who are working to improve their fire practices to protect the habitat of the Gouldian Finch, a native bird.
You can support the AWC by donating, becoming a Wildlife Guardian, or including them in your will. They also offer opportunities to volunteer and fundraise, and you can stay up-to-date with their latest conservation news through their webinars and annual reports.
Another way to support conservation efforts in Australia is to participate in eco-tourism experiences. For example, Exceptional Kangaroo Island offers a three-day conservation tour where you can learn about and support endangered species such as the Kangaroo Island dunnart marsupial and the glossy black-cockatoo bird. Similarly, Echidna Walkabout offers nature tours in Victoria's East Gippsland, where you can help conserve the habitats of koalas, which are often threatened by bushfires. A percentage of each tour also supports the Koala Clancy Foundation, a charity advocating for koala protection.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian government has been criticised for not doing enough to protect its wildlife. It scored an F on several threatened species recovery indicators in WWF-Australia's Threatened Species Report Card. The government has also been criticised for failing to deliver on its promise to reform nature laws, instead caving to self-interest from business and mining lobby groups.
The legal framework for protecting animals in Australia is complex, with a multi-layered governance system involving federal, state, and local law. There is no national law on animal welfare, and animal protection is not included in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines aim to achieve nationally consistent objectives, standards, and guidelines across different animal industries, but they only outline minimum recommendations for the proper care and management of animals.
Australia has several organisations dedicated to protecting its endangered animals and restoring vital habitats, including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and World Animal Protection. These organisations work through science, innovation, and partnerships to restore wildlife and landscapes. AWC is also a leader in conservation fencing and has established a network of largescale feral predator-free areas across mainland Australia.
Animals are classified as property in Australia. Domesticated animals are considered 'absolute property', while wild animals are deemed property once captured or in the possession or control of a person. This classification is reflected in legislation at both the federal and state/territory levels. However, there is a strong community push to reform current legislation to recognise animal sentience more broadly.
Individuals can help protect animals in Australia by supporting organisations dedicated to conservation, such as AWC and World Animal Protection, through donations, fundraising, and volunteering. Individuals can also participate in eco-tourism and citizen science projects that contribute to conservation efforts, such as reef-based citizen science projects to support the Great Barrier Reef or wildlife tours with eco-tour operators like Echidna Walkabout, which helps conserve koalas and other Australian animals.
