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$2.6 million in funding for koala protection
This week, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell delivered a huge win for Victoria's koalas – one we’ve been fighting for, for years.
Georgie moved a motion in Parliament forcing the government to finally release “The Status of Victoria’s Koala Population”, the result of an $850,000 study into the health of koalas across our state.
The government has been sitting on this report since June 2025 – but just minutes before Georgie was due to speak in the chamber, the government released the report.
On top of that, they announced a $2.6 million commitment in new funding for koala research and welfare.
This is not a coincidence. It's the result of relentless advocacy by Georgie and organisations dedicated to koala protection. Without Animal Justice Party representatives in Parliament, this kind of change simply doesn’t happen.
Georgie’s track record for koalas
- Advocated for the protection of Victoria’s koala populations over 20 separate times in the chamber since she was elected.
- At least 6 parliamentary speeches on the aerial shooting of koalas in Budj Bim.
- The first politician to speak on the horrific aerial operation in the Victorian Parliament.
- Sponsored a parliamentary petition calling for an independent inquiry into the aerial operation, which met the criteria for debate.
- Led debate on this petition in demanding transparency and a commitment that it never happens again.
- Hosted an event in Parliament to screen The Koalas documentary, exploring how and why this iconic species is predicted to be extinct in the wild by 2050.
This outcome is a great step forward, but it can’t be the end – or Victoria will become yet another Australian state where koalas are listed as endangered. Once we are there, it is so much harder to turn back.
The disturbing truth
The report painted a shocking picture of the reality for Victorian koalas:
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These findings confirm what we've been saying for years: while an estimated 217,000-225,000 koalas remain in Victoria, some populations have dangerously low genetic diversity, and the report calls for urgent action on welfare, genetic management and statewide monitoring.
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Before the Animal Justice Party pressured the government to release this report, every decision about koalas in this state was made without the full picture. |
These wins for animals don’t happen overnight. They happen because of the thousands of you who sign petitions, write to your MPs, and support our work day in and day out.
And of course, none of this happens without Georgie in Parliament. This is exactly why we need to elect Animal Justice Party representatives.
FAQs
What is "e-prescribing" for vets, exactly?
It means a vet can send a prescription straight to a pharmacy electronically, instead of writing it out by hand and posting it. Right now, vets are only permitted to issue handwritten or hand-signed prescriptions, which then have to go in the mail before your pet's medication can be dispensed.
Why don't vets have this already, when my GP and dentist do?
Doctors, dentists, optometrists, midwives and nurse practitioners have been able to issue e-scripts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterinary medicine has simply been left behind. State and Commonwealth regulators have pointed to a lack of infrastructure to connect vets and pharmacists electronically, even though the same technology is already tried and tested in human healthcare.
Does this mean my vet won't need to see my pet in person anymore?
No, this motion is about how a prescription gets from your vet to a pharmacy, not about removing the need for a proper examination. Your vet still assesses your pet and decides what they need; e-prescribing just modernises the paperwork behind it.
How will this actually help me as a pet owner?
It lets you get a prescription filled at the pharmacy of your choice, rather than being limited to whatever the clinic can hand you on paper. That competition helps bring medication costs down, and it cuts out a trip back to the clinic (or a wait for something to arrive by post) – a real saving of time and money, especially if you're watching the budget.
Will this make things easier for vets too?
Yes. Posting handwritten scripts to pharmacists is slow, and gets in the way of actually treating animals. Electronic prescribing is estimated to save vet clinics around 173 hours a month in admin – time that can go back into animal care instead of paperwork, easing some of the burnout pressure the profession has been raising for years.
What does this mean for people in regional and rural areas?
Regional and rural pet and livestock owners are often hit hardest by the current system, having to travel long distances just to collect or renew a prescription. E-prescribing means a script can go straight to a local pharmacy, cutting out unnecessary travel and making care more accessible where vet services are already stretched.
Is it safe? Could this lead to more medication errors or misuse?
Electronic systems are actually expected to improve safety, not reduce it. They create a digital trail that's harder to tamper with than a handwritten note, support real-time monitoring of veterinary medicines, and can help flag potential misuse: the opposite of what the current paper-based system allows.
Does this need new legislation? When will it actually happen?
No new legislation is required. The Secretary of the Department of Health already has the authority under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 to approve electronic prescribing for vets. The motion passed unanimously, and the government has agreed to start the process. Now it's about prioritising the work so it's delivered before the election.
