By PETER DOUGLAS
TRADITIONALLY, it’s fair to say the Animal Justice Party is no fan of the Liberal Party.
In fact, before this year’s federal election, it has have preferenced a Liberal candidate last on 39 out of 40 occasions.
The exception is incumbent La Trobe MP Jason Wood to whom the Party has announced their preference support.
The unlikely union formed after Mr Wood campaigned on the issue of trophy hunting.
Senate candidate for the Animal Justice Party Bruce Poon said the party would support anyone committed to animal welfare.
“We initially approached Jason to congratulate him on his work, but also to talk about other issues we could address,” Mr Poon said.
“In particular, a campaign on a ban for animal testing in the cosmetics industry.”
Mr Poon said the Greens and Labor had committed their support, but not the (Liberal) Government.
“We worked with Mr Wood and he brought the party along to support that legislation,” he said.
“They are now committed to introducing it within 100 days after re-election.”
The preference deal had its origins with Ferny Creek animal activist Donalea Patman.
Ms Patman from For the Love of Wildlife sought support for her campaign to help endangered lions.
However she said it was a tough path to receive parliamentary support.
“After visiting Africa many times I realised that African wildlife is under siege,” she said.
“When I came back, I thought ‘what can I do? How can I contribute?’”
She started lobbying many animal organisations and community leaders, but many would not pay attention.
Eventually, she wrote a letter to Mr Wood, who still took some convincing.
But upon viewing footage of canned hunting in Africa, Mr Wood took an interest in the campaign and helped bring it into a political forum.
Ms Patman said many people were not aware of the precariousness of the situation.
“Lions are actually closer to extinction than the rhinos,” she said.
“Many tourists are duped into participating in cub petting, cub feeding or lion walking … but these animals are, in fact, bred for the bullet.”
Ms Patman said while there was plenty left to do she was hopeful the group could work together and achieve further positive outcomes.
Meanwhile, a free showing of the documentary Blood Lions, which focuses on canned hunting, will screen on Monday 27 June at Cameo Cinema at 7pm.
Mr Wood and Ms Patman will host the event.
* This article forms part of the Mail’s series which aims to highlight La Trobe parties and candidates before the federal election on Saturday 2 July.
