Peita Collard is the Animal Justice Party's Upper House candidate for Northern Metropolitan Region.

Born in Brisbane, Peita moved to Melbourne in her early twenties to pursue a career in theatre, later establishing and leading a successful independent theatre company. She has since built a career supporting people and advocating for a more compassionate society.

Peita holds a Bachelor (Honours) and Master of Arts from La Trobe University, along with a Double Diploma in Counselling and Community Services. For almost a decade, she has worked as a therapist in private practice, helping people navigate life's challenges with empathy and respect. Her work has reinforced her dedication to social justice and ensuring vulnerable members of the community have a voice.

As a committed vegan, Peita believes compassionate living is both an ethical choice and a practical way to inspire positive change. As the devoted guardian of her rescued dog, Ollie, she understands the profound bond between people and their companion animals.

For Peita, that bond means no one should have to choose between their own safety and the safety of a beloved animal. She advocates for expanding pet-inclusive crisis accommodation so people escaping domestic and family violence are not forced to leave their companion animals behind, and for support for people experiencing homelessness through temporary foster care and free veterinary care for their companion animals.

Through her work as a therapist, Peita has seen the vital role compassionate support services play during times of crisis. She believes wildlife carers, rescue organisations, local rangers and animal management officers deserve greater support so they can respond effectively to neglect, abuse and animal welfare concerns, and will advocate for government investment to support these critical services.

Peita is passionate about protecting animals and reducing harm across all areas of society. She opposes unnecessary culling, recreational hunting, and the use of animals for racing, including horse and greyhound racing. She supports humane, evidence-based approaches to human–wildlife conflict, an end to animal testing and factory farming, and urgent action to reduce wildlife road trauma. 

Peita is standing for the Animal Justice Party because she believes protecting animals, strengthening communities and restoring the environment go hand in hand. She aims to help build a kinder, fairer and more sustainable Victoria for all.

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Contact Peita

You can reach Peita via [email protected]