Maurita Rahn is standing as the Animal Justice Party candidate for Tarneit because she wants to see a change in the way animals are treated in Victoria. She believes society should move towards recognising animals as individuals, rather than treating them as products.

As an active volunteer and campaigner for animal rights in Australia and around the world for more than 18 years, Maurita is dedicated to the animal protection movement. She is particularly committed to advocating for a rapid phase-out of cruel factory farming practices, including battery cages for hens. Maurita believes Australia can do so much better with animal welfare and should be prepared to adopt stronger protections for animals.

Maurita is also committed to advocating for changes to Victoria’s proposed Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation (APRO) Scheme. As part of her election platform, she would seek to pause the implementation of the scheme to allow for genuine consultation with the rescue sector. She believes rescue organisations should be properly listened to and involved in developing any regulatory framework that affects their work. She would also seek consideration of a self-regulation model for the rescue sector, which has been advocated for by some within the sector, alongside appropriate amendments to the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Her position is that any regulatory changes should support animal welfare while recognising the vital role played by volunteer-led rescue organisations and avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens on those working to save animals.

Another local animal-welfare issue that has drawn Maurita's attention is the culling of landlocked kangaroos in Truganina. She is concerned about the welfare implications for kangaroos caught in isolated areas as development continues across Melbourne's western suburbs and believes that humane alternatives should be properly adopted wherever wildlife becomes trapped by urban development.

Maurita also opposes the exploitation of animals for entertainment, including the horse-racing industry. She advocates for stronger protections for horses throughout their lives, including ethical treatment and appropriate outcomes for horses once they are no longer considered useful to the racing industry. 

A local of the Tarneit area for more than 23 years, Maurita also has a background in procurement, working within the corrections system and health industries. In her spare time, she assists the Victorian Dog Rescue and other Wildlife groups.

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Contact Maurita

You can reach Maurita via [email protected]