Since Voiceless Law Talk was established in February 2005, our on-line discussion board has received steady support from lawyers, law students, barristers, academics and legal counsel from across Australia and New Zealand.  

On this page, we have reproduced some of the highlights from our discussion: 

“I've always loved other animals.  Whilst I was completing my first degree in Psychology, I walked out of many lectures because of the lecturers drawing on and discussing psychological experiments completed on animals (one of the most infamous being Harlow's experiments on the monkeys).… I applied for Law... I thought it'd be interesting to incorporate my Psych with Criminal Law or Family Law...The beautiful moment was however, when I found out that animal law exists!”
Kay Nolan (Paralegal)  

“It's not an intellectual thing for me, nor a religious one.  I have no memory of having felt anything but kinship with animals.  Of course, they are not the only living creatures to be mistreated.  But they are truly voiceless, so I just try to do whatever I can for them.”
John Mancy (Barrister)  

“After attending the Voiceless Animal Law Workshop I realised that pursuing a career in animal law was a real possibility in the near future and this has provided me with the motivation to keep learning as much as possible in this area so that I can hopefully make a difference in the legal arena for animals, as Voiceless has clearly done. I'm hoping that one day many of us registered with this law talk forum will be out there working as Animal Lawyers!”
April (Legal Counsel)

“My interest in advocacy for animals probably began when I was in high school. I went to an agricultural high school, and there was a farm with live animals (cattle, sheep and poultry) at the back of the school. I suppose it had a profound impact on me when I saw living cows in agriculture class, and then merely five minutes later saw a fellow student eating beef for lunch!”
Xavi (Law Student)

Voiceless Law Talk Members talking about the animal law issues they feel passionate about:  

Intensive farming of animals…
“There are so many humans now, eating meat is not logical.  It is environmentally counter-productive, is unhealthy, produces a risk for diseases, and can not be done without cruelty.  I recently went vegetarian (working towards vegan) having read "Animal Liberation" and the number of people I've had say to me "but don't you miss meat?" is astounding.  I honestly think we are conditioned to eat meat - we are taught to expect it in every meal.  Last night in the supermarket I heard a father saying to his 3 year old daughter "Look! Chicken! (pointing at the BBQ chooks) Do you want chicky chick chicken for dinner?"...If only she knew how it arrived on her plate.   I think humans have a responsibility to the planet and other animals to stop eating them.”
Kay Nolan (Paralegal)

Battery Cage Hens…
“As a New Zealander the animal law issue I am most passionate about at the moment is the continuance of battery farming eggs in this country. It is a horrible animal issue, but what makes it my most passionate as a legal issue is the way it has been dealt with. The majority of people have shown they want it to stop, a democratically representative parliamentary committee has just announced the regulations are illegal under the legislation. Yet our Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, has decided to ignore both of these strong calls for change.”
Chantal (Law Student)  
 
Live Export Trade…
"The live animal export trade. It should be banned, simple as that. Let's face it - these animals don't travel on a ship to have a great time in the cocktail lounge and the sun-tanning beds, and maybe meet that special someone they've been hanging out all their lives for. They're subjected to shocking, inhumane conditions- conditions you wouldn't put your worst enemy in. They are then subjected to further barbarity and sheer bastardry when they are disembarked. All this was documented by Channel Nine's 60 Minutes, Richard Carlton no less. It was a fantastic story in terms of portraying the plain truth."
Andrew Martin (Lawyer)    

Pet Stores…
“I have always felt a strong contempt for people who do not take proper care of their companion animals. I believe that if you are going to make a commitment to purchase a companion animal then you should take all the proper steps and provide them with the appropriate love and care that they deserve. Seeing abandoned animals, especially in the period after Christmas after puppies and kittens have been given as ill-thought out 'presents', particularly upsets me.”
Cass (Law Student)  

Greyhound Racing…
“As a rescuer of 2 greyhounds destined for death row - both of which were under the age of 2 years! - I am very passionate about the treatment of animals in sport, particularly greyhounds.  My first greyhound, Mollie, has an enormous scar on her thigh as a lasting reminder of her gruelling training and racing days.  She no longer wanted to race so she was going to be shot.  My other greyhound, Layla, is partially blind in her left eye and was surrendered to be destroyed.  Both girls now live their days lying on the couch with their human and non-human companions.  It is pure chance that I found out about them and gave them a second chance at life.”
Caroline (Legal Academic) 

 

Some of the other issues we have discussed

• History of animal law in Australia
• Animals as property
• Circuses and rodeos
• Case notes – whaling, live exports, mulesing, dairy calves, foie gras
• Hunting
• Animal protection and environmental protection
• Sentencing in animal cruelty matters
• National Animal Welfare Bill
• Animal experimentation
• Farm animal abuse and protection
• Labelling of animal products
• Trade Practices Act – shield or sword?
• Philosophy and ethics of animal protection
• Wildlife trade law
• Public interest advocacy and standing
• Current submissions on legislation and regulations
• Evidence Act and cruelty prosecutions
• International animal law – World Trade Organisation issues
• Studying animal law
• Events and competitions
• Media articles and campaigns

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