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Help Voiceless stop cruelty to animals!

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"Slaughterhouses are privately owned enterprises hidden from the public eye.  Behind the concrete walls, animals may be verbally and physically abused before their lives are taken.  Death is not always instant; it is not pain free. The animals know their fate." Ruth Hatten, Voiceless Legal Counsel read more

 

"Australian laws allow the cruelty that is inflicted on food animals every day. There are no Federal laws protecting food animals." Ruth Hatten, Voiceless Legal Counsel read more

 

"The longstanding classification in law of animals as property plays a big role in the level of control that Australia has over animals it exports overseas.  Once our animals have been sold and delivered to an importing country, they are subject to the customs and practices of that country." Ruth Hatten, Voiceless Legal Counsel read more

Introducing Voiceless Law Talk Print E-mail

Voiceless CEO Dana Campbell answers audience questions at the 2011 Law Lecture Series

After many years as a fledging movement, animal law is increasingly moving into the mainstream. In the United States, distinguished legal scholars such as Professor Cass Sunstein, Professor Lawrence Tribe and Judge Richard Posner have entered into complex legal debates about the relationship between nonhuman and human animals. Facilitated by the work of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, animal law has found a place in National, Regional and State Bar Associations. A growing number of United States attorneys are also choosing to specialise in the area of animal law, which is now being taught in over 85 law schools.

Here in Australia, animal law is also emerging. In February 2005, the University of New South Wales introduced Australia's first animal law course. Animals are also being given a legal voice through professional associations such as NSW Young Lawyers and non-profit organisations such as Voiceless (in New South Wales) and Brisbane Lawyers Educating and Advocating for Tougher Sentences/BLEATS  (in Queensland).

In light of these developments, Voiceless has decided to introduce Voiceless Law Talk, Australia's first National Animal Law Discussion Board.

Voiceless Law Talk aims to provide members with a forum to post questions, comments, information and opinions about matters of animal law in Australia and New Zealand. It is a private discussion board which means that access to the Board will be restricted to members who register with Voiceless. At this stage Voiceless Law Talk is comprised of forums which aim to facilitate discussion on the following matters:

  • Case Notes (a forum to report on and discuss the latest animal law cases);
  • Civil and Criminal Viewpoint (a forum to discuss past and potential civil and criminal actions involving animals);
  • Law and Policy Viewpoint (a forum to discuss current and prospective local, state and federal laws affecting animals);
  • Animal Law Jurisprudence (a forum to discuss the philosophy of animal law);
  • Animal Law Courses (a forum to post messages concerning animal law courses in Australia);
  • Continuing Legal Education (a forum to post information about upcoming animal law events, seminars or conferences).
Follow this link to register for Voiceless Law Talk.

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