Georgie's Work in Parliament

It’s been another huge month in Parliament, with Georgie Purcell continuing to fight for animals, people and planet – and secure real outcomes for companion animals, wildlife, and rescue groups across Victoria.

Keeping People and Pets Together in Retirement Villages

Thanks to Georgie's advocacy, retirement villages can no longer impose unreasonable restrictions preventing residents from keeping companion animals.

For too long, older Victorians have been forced to make an impossible choice: keep the companion animal they love, or access the care and housing they need.

On 1 May, new legislation that Georgie passed in parliament last year came into effect, which will ensure older Victorians are not unfairly forced to give up beloved companion animals. It’s a compassionate change that will help keep families together and prevent pets from ending up in pounds and shelters.

Protecting Victoria's Native Wildlife Georgie recently met with wildlife rescuers and conservationists, including Friends of Bats and Bushcare, and joined Wombat Forestcare and the VNPA for a night survey of Greater Gliders. These visits reinforced Georgie’s ongoing call to scrap Victoria’s cruel Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit system, which she continues to raise in Parliament as lacking transparency and too easily used to authorise harm to native animals. Learn more about cruel ATCW permits and take action to have them scrapped.   Pictured: Georgie with a wombat currently receiving care via a wildlife shelter rehabilitation program.

Major Funding for Animals

Georgie has secured critical funding for animals in the 2026 state budget – something only possible because the Animal Justice Party is in Parliament.

The funding includes support for overstretched animal shelters, affordable veterinary care, wildlife rehabilitation, and community greyhound rescue groups who have long been overlooked, including funding for the Regional Community Vet Clinic.

These funds will save lives, keep families with their pets, and protect native wildlife. And of course, better support the volunteers who care for animals every day.

Breakthrough Reforms for Sexual Violence Survivors

In tandem with survivors, advocacy organisations, peak bodies and psychologists, Georgie sent an open letter to the Victorian Government calling on it to change court processes in sexual violence cases.

The next day, the government committed to reforms to better protect victim-survivors. Key changes include stronger safeguards for confidential communications, options for complainants to pre-record evidence, and tighter rules around accessing survivors’ sexual history in court.

These long-overdue reforms represent an important step toward a more trauma-informed justice system that better centres the dignity, safety, and rights of victim-survivors. Learn more here.

Duck Hunting Shut Down at Tower Hill

In a win for wildlife, Georgie was able to secure the shut down of Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve to duck shooting.

The decision followed sustained advocacy from local residents, conservation groups, and the Animal Justice Party highlighting the need to protect this unique wetland habitat. Read more about the closure here.

This was a major win for local wildlife and another example of why having the Animal Justice Party in Parliament matters. We won't stop until every wetland is safe from hunting.

Forests and Habitat Protection

In a move that has sparked serious concern, Parks Victoria has cleared rare montane grassy woodland at Mount Macedon to create a viewline for the memorial cross, despite local opposition and a council refusal of the proposal. The works impacted a highly restricted ecosystem containing Snow Gums and Alpine Ash, critical habitat already reduced to small remnants across Victoria.

Georgie raised the issue in Parliament, questioning the justification used to approve the clearing and calling on the Minister for Planning to ensure this kind of preventable environmental destruction cannot happen again.

Georgie has also raised broader concerns about the management of Victoria’s forests and wildlife, after being contacted by conservation and wildlife groups alarmed by the lack of transparency around planned burns. She questioned Forest Fire Management Victoria in Parliament over whether legal requirements to protect threatened species are being properly met, amid growing concern about burns occurring near endangered habitat without clear independent oversight.

The Only Political Voice for Animals

The Animal Justice Party is the only political party committed to ending animal cruelty. Without Georgie in Parliament, these wins for animals simply would not be happening.

And without your support, we couldn't do any of it.

It’s a powerful reminder of why having a voice for animals in the halls of power matters so much. 💜

Building Momentum

With the Victorian State Election now firmly in sight this November 2026, we're stepping it up across the state.

This election is our biggest opportunity yet to put animals, people and the planet firmly at the front of voters' minds - and we're proud to announce the candidates ready to make that happen.

Your Animal Justice Party Candidates

We're excited to announce a total of 11 candidates in our growing team. Each brings lived experience, strong community ties, and an unwavering commitment to ending animal cruelty in all forms.

Click to meet our candidates:

We’re Still Building – Join Us as a Candidate

We are actively seeking passionate, committed people to stand as AJP candidates in 25 key target areas across Victoria. These electorates are critical to shifting the balance of power at the 2026 election, and we need local voices who are ready to step forward and represent a better future for animals and communities.

You don’t need to be a politician. You just need conviction, and a willingness to stand up for those without a voice.

There has never been a more important moment to step forward as a candidate and help drive this work into Parliament.

Stand Up For Animals as a Candidate

A Voice for Animals in Gariwerd

We're also pleased to acknowledge that Tamasyn Ramsay-Grounds has been appointed to Southern Grampians Shire Council following a recent countback after a vacancy.

Tam has been a strong advocate for animals and the environment in her community. As a member and volunteer of the Animal Justice Party, she has supported animal protection in various advisory and advocacy roles.

We wish Tamasyn all the best in her new role, serving as an independent councillor, and look forward to animals in Gariwerd having a voice represented in local decision-making.

National Volunteer Week 💜

This week is National Volunteer Week, and we want to thank you!

The Animal Justice Party is powered by volunteers – passionate people who care deeply about creating a kinder world for animals. From campaigning and events to advocacy, outreach, administration, and community action, so much of what we achieve is thanks to volunteers giving their time, energy, and compassion to the movement.

And we are incredibly proud of that 🐾

To everyone who has supported the animal protection movement in any way: thank you. Your compassion creates real change for animals every single day.

Want to Be a Part of It?

Without our dedicated volunteers, we simply wouldn't exist.

So if we stand any chance of having MP Georgie Purcell re-elected this November, we need all the help we can get.

If you want to join the animal protection movement, there is a role for you. No matter your background or skills, we will find a job, task, or ongoing role that is meaningful and rewarding for you.

Can you help us with any of the following?

• Helping us to organise a fundraising raffle
• Planning a post-election celebration event
• Research and writing for submissions
• Bookkeeping and budget review
• Writing materials for animal campaigns
• Graphic design / social media

Sign up to Help Out!