NSW election: Emma Hurst MP, Animal Justice Party call out ‘blatant lies’ in anti-party campaign

A campaign claiming a NSW party wanted to “take away pet ownership” has been called out as “blatant lies” as a puppy scare campaign hit the radio waves. Hear the audio.

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst (centre) pictured with Mia the pug and Animal Welfare League staff. Picture: Toby Zerna

A NSW MP and animal advocate has criticised a scare campaign against her and her party, calling one advert that ran on 2GB “blatant lies” as the radio station said there was “no onus on the broadcaster” to ensure truth in election ads.

A radio advert by the Companions and Pets Party, which is not a registered political party in NSW, alleged the Animal Justice Party “wants to stop you owning a dog, cat or any animal” – a piece of “misinformation” slammed by upper house MP Emma Hurst.

“The Animal Justice Party wants to stop you owning a dog, cat or any animal – that’s just so wrong,” the advert said.

“Don’t let them take pet ownership away from you. Put the Animal Justice Party last.”

The Companions and Pets Party did not respond to requests for comment.

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst pictured with Mia the pug in the Domain. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ms Hurst described the adverts as “blatant lies” and “deliberate misinformation”.

“The AJP has a clear policy that supports people providing loving homes for companion animals,” she said.

“These radio ads are part of a clear and deliberate misinformation campaign designed to confuse the voting public.”

A Nine spokesman said 2GB abides by all relevant laws, codes and regulations, but there was “no onus on the broadcaster to ensure there is truth in election ads”.

“When it comes to political advertising, there’s an onus to ensure any advert is correctly authorised and contains the correct required particulars,” he said.

LISTEN TO THE ADVERT

DOGS NSW have also campaigned against the party.

“Where have all the dogs gone – ask the Animal Justice Party,” a Facebook post said, adding the party wanted to “no longer give Australians the chance to own the dog of their choice”.

Ms Hurst, who has a cat, said neither group were registered third-party campaigners in NSW.

“If they have spent over $2000 on advertising... we will be writing to the NSW Electoral Commission calling for a full investigation,” she said.

The MP said the group previously campaigned against her party’s legislation to outlaw puppy farming.

“Outlawing the cruel factory farming of dogs, where animals can be held in kennels for 23 hours and 40 minutes a day, won’t stop people from having a cat or dog,” she said.

“What it will do is ensure that your new furry companion is coming from a healthy and happy home rather than a puppy farm.”

The party wants to regulate and reduce puppy farming in NSW.

The legislation, which is before the Legislative Assembly, would introduce a registration and source number system to ensure oversight. It would apply a cap on the total number of female dogs for breeding to 10, and introduce staff ratios and vet checks.

However, DOGS NSW senior vice president Lyn Brand stood by their campaign.

“Their (Animal Justice Party’s) policies could reduce the number of dogs available by restricting breeding, eliminating certain purebred dogs, ending the ability to select the right type of pet suitable for a person’s lifestyle – and ultimately challenge dog ownership by changing the property status of a dog,” she said.

Companions and Pets Party chair John Hutchinson authorised and read the 2GB advert. Picture: Zoe Hutchinson

Ms Brand called on voters to “identify dog-friendly political candidate’s”.

“We believe the AJP’s policies will create a scarcity of puppies and dogs in NSW, drive up prices and foster the black-market trade in puppies,” she said.

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