Australians For Animals

Australians For Animals Australians For Animals Inc. For the last 12 years, AFA has focussed almost entirely on whales and dolphins. AFA believes that one person can make a difference.

Founded in 1981 by ex Fairfax investigative journalist, Sue Arnold, together with a small group of talented and motivated people, AFA has made its mark internationally. All campaigns are run with the support of an informal Advisory Board of highly skilled scientists and lawyers who advise, review and guide the campaigns of the charity. AFA made history in the 90’s as the first Australian group to

have an animal listed under the provisions of the US Endangered Species Act. After 8 years of dedicated effort involving one of the most major research projects ever undertaken on the Koala, AFA succeeded in having the Koala listed as Threatened. For many years, Sue Arnold was Secretary of the Sun-Herald Koala Fund, writing many columns and articles on the plight of the Koala. As an accredited International Whaling Commission NGO, the charity has regularly sent a representative to the IWC Convention meetings. With field offices in France, the US, and the Caribbean, AFA covers a great deal of territory in its work on cetaceans. AFA initiated the successful campaign in the European Parliament against Low Frequency Sonar in European waters which resulted in a resolution for a moratorium. AFA has considerable experience in lobbying the European Parliament and Commission, the US Congress, the British House of Commons and the Australian Federal Government. AFA initiated six lawsuits and legal challenges in the USA to prevent the Makah Tribe from killing Gray Whales. These challenges were successful and so far, the Tribe has not been able to legally slaughter these majestic friendly whales. Two more lawsuits were mounted in the early 2000’s to stop the US Navy using experimenting on heavily pregnant Gray Whales and their newborn calves. The experiment was designed to refine Low Frequency Sonar (LFAS), a sonar system which has caused devastation to cetaceans, marine mammals, and fish. AFA is deeply involved in the international campaign to stop the dolphin trade in the Solomon Islands. At heart and in practice, AFA is a grass roots group focussed on grass roots action. We believe in involving the broad community through dialogue and meaningful discussion. We love talking to the “ bad “ guys, more often than not finding common ground. The time for action by the whole community is long overdue. Two people can create mircacles. The Earth and its magnificent gift of life deserve the best efforts of every human.

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10/05/2026

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STANDING HEARING –VICTORIAN SUPREME COURT - HELICOPTER SHOOTING OF OVER 1000 KOALAS AT BUDJ BIM NATIONAL PARK

It was a difficult two days of hearings in an ancient court house which is more like a maze with no ready access to toilets, no cafeteria and terrible acoustics.

The challenge by DEECA to deny Australians for Animals Inc standing was held in court room 13, with very little accommodation for the public. But the charity had a good mob of supporters who faithfully sat through the never ending DEECA counsel submissions to the Judge as to reasons why AFA should be denied standing.

To summarize, DEECA lawyers attempted to paint a picture demonstrating that the charity had no special interest in koalas ( other than an emotional one) and that there was no interest by AFA in any Victorian environmental issues relating to koalas.

Two witnesses from DEECA when questioned by AFA’s lawyers acknowledged the decision to authorize the shooting was made prior to the stake-holders’ meetings and that the five groups involved, Wildlife Victoria, IFAW, Humane Society International, RSPCA and Animals Australia were asked to keep the decision confidential. Which they did.

Sue Arnold, AFA’s public officer was in the witness box for well over an hour and a quarter whilst DEECA counsel tried to paint a picture of no current work by the charity on koalas and no involvement in any Victorian koala issues.

Given that AFA has been deeply engaged in the plantation issues, has attempted on several occasions to launch legal challenges against the Victorian government – with no success as a result of Environmental Justice and EDO not having capacity, plus the massive scientific submission to the US government which resulted in the koala being listed under the US Endangered Species Act, multiple campaigns for koalas in NSW, Queensland, SA, and Victoria, the charity’s history speaks for itself.

We will now wait for the judge’s decision. It may take weeks or several months. It is extraordinary that this case has dragged on for more than a year, apparently highly unusual according to Victorian lawyers).

Koala Crisis can make no prediction about the outcome. But it is clear that the government is pulling out all stops in an effort to ensure the massacre of these koalas never goes to trial.

However, AFA is determined to ensure justice for these poor koalas and to ensure that the decision to use this horrific method of killing is never again contemplated.

Victoria has a terrible history of severe and intense bushfires which will only get worse under climate change. If the helicopter shooting is found to be lawful, the future suffering of koalas and other wildlife could include this horrific method of “euthanasia”,

Once again, grateful thanks to ALL who have supported AFA in this critically important battle. We will win because we MUST win. Victorian government’s treatment of koalas and wildlife is a national scandal.

Helicopter shooting of any animal should be banned.

AFA is a grass roots organization. It always has been. This legal challenge can only be described as a David and Goliath battle.

Given the times we’re living in, the charity hopes that our principled stand inspires others to walk the talk. Our wildlife and our animals are sentient beings with the same needs as human beings.

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04/04/2026

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KOALAS NEED HELP - LEGAL CHALLENGE UPDATE

Last year, the Victorian government approved the helicopter slaughter of over 1000 koalas at Budj Bim National Park in southwest Victoria.

The operation described as “ humane euthanasia” was planned and carried out in secret. But when neighbours heard the helicopters and gunshots, they soon realised something terrible was happening in the Park.

A nearby blue gum plantation that borders the Park had been recently harvested, resulting in many koalas losing their food and shelter in the plantation, driven out with the only accessible shelter with food and water being the Park.

A major bushfire had broken out in the Park in early March. Four weeks after the fire was extinguished, DEECA ( Dept of Energy, Environment & Climate Action) decided that there were burned, starving koalas in the Park, koalas who could not be accessed or rescued and the only option was “ humane euthanasia” by aerial shooting.

Given that the entire exercise was conducted in secret, trial killing(s) by helicopter, vet inspections by helicopters ( no idea how many or where abouts) with secret meetings which included major conservation organisations, DEECA approved the killing.

No Australian state or federal government has ever permitted the helicopter shooting of koalas, listed as endangered in NSW, Queensland and the A.C.T. In using this inhumane method, the Victorian government set an horrific precedent.

Koala scientists have said it’s extremely unlikely any koalas would have survived for four weeks after the fires were extinguished.

Koalas sleep in the clefts of trees. They can be difficult to spot. Some of the Koalas in Budj Bim Park at that time would have had joeys. The terror of the helicopter noise, the massive downdrafts of the machines with marksmen shooting all day for almost a month would have been like putting koalas in a war zone.

There was no ground truthing. No independent experts were allowed to visit the site. The site was readily accessed by Friends of the Earth. Not a single koala co**se was found, so no independent autopsies could be carried out.

Australians for Animals Inc, has mounted a legal challenge against DEECA. The originating Judicial Review seeks a judgement that DEECA’s approval was unlawful. The charity has a top legal team, with many court hearings having already taken place.

On May 7/8 there will be a Standing hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court. A judge will decide if the charity (with its 36 plus year history of koala conservation) has the legal right to mount the action against DEECA. Once the decision is made, if approval is granted, then the trial will be set down for hearing.

Please donate to this vitally important legal challenge. The Andrews and Allan Victorian Labor governments have a terrible record when it comes to wildlife protection. You can make a donation at: www.givenow.com.au/koala-crisis.

Thank you all so much. Justice for Koalas is long overdue.

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Brunswick Heads, NSW
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