Jehni Thomas-Wurth is a passionate advocate for animal protection in the Huon Valley, Tasmania, having moved from Western Australia over four years ago. Since her arrival, she has been actively involved in her local community, particularly focusing on the inadequacies of animal protection within the Tasmanian political system.
Jehni has identified a significant gap between the discussions around animal welfare and tangible action by those in power, spanning issues from puppy farms and racing to the challenges faced by animals in intensive agriculture and those affected by road incidents and hunting. Determined to bring about change, Jehni aims to secure a parliamentary position to advocate for animals' interests and welfare, which she feels are often overlooked or deprioritized in favor of human activities.
Her activism includes grassroots efforts to mitigate native animal road deaths and staunch opposition to old-growth logging, highlighting her broader environmental concerns. Jehni's household reflects her commitment to animal welfare, sharing her home with two rescue animals—a dog and a cat—alongside a host of arachnids, and supported by her husband, Keith.
Her campaign underscores a dedicated effort to serve as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, aiming to elevate animal welfare on the political agenda.
The Animal Justice Party (AJP) envisions a kinder Australia, advocating for the ethical treatment of animals alongside responsible environmental stewardship. It focuses on policy areas crucial to animal welfare such as ending puppy farming, factory farming, live animal export, and hunting.
Beyond animal issues, the AJP adopts positions aligned with its core values of kindness, equality, rationality, and non-violence on broader societal matters, including reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, and environmental policies. The party opposes the use of 1080 poison for animal population control, advocates for the decriminalization of cannabis, and supports measures to address climate change, emphasizing the harmful impacts of animal agriculture.
The AJP promotes a legislative framework that prioritizes animal rights, including the banning of live animal exports, and the phase-out of animal experimentation. Additionally, it champions access to abortion, proposes raising the age of criminal responsibility, and supports a comprehensive approach to asylum seekers, reflecting its commitment to a compassionate and equitable society.