The Conference ran over two days in January 2013 (Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th).
The first day of the Conference featured presentations on a variety of topics, including the keynote address which was delivered by Professor Marsha Baum from the University of New Mexico (USA). The Conference began with a presentation by UTAS Sociology Professor Rob White, who discussed the topic of 'eco-justice'. Professor White was followed by Associate Professor Alex Bruce from the Australian National University who examined the relationship between animals and competition and consumer law and policy.
Keynote speaker, Professor Baum discussed the lessons Australia could learn from the American animal law experience. She was followed by UTAS law Professor Gary Meyers (with the assistance of Penelope Owen) who gave a presentation on wildlife law, focusing on the protection of endangered species and indigenous hunting and fishing rights in Australia.
The day concluded with The Public Q and A on Live Export and the Law, which was chaired by Voiceless CEO Dana Campbell, and featured two speakers: recent Voiceless Eureka Prize winner, Professor Clive Phillips from the University of Queensland and Dr Malcolm Caulfield, Founder and Principal Lawyer of the Animal Welfare Community Legal Centre in Tasmania. The Q and A was followed by a complimentary afternoon tea in the law school foyer, providing the Tasmanian community with an opportunity to engage with Conference participants and speakers. Just under $200 was raised at the Q and A to assist Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with the rescue and rehabilitation of Tasmanian wildlife impacted by the recent Tasmanian bush fires.
The second day of the Conference featured two workshops, a panel discussion and a number of presentations by national animal law experts, including legal counsel from two of Australia’s most influential non-profit animal protection organisations (Voiceless and Animals Australia), and Voiceless patron Dr Melissa Perry QC.
The first workshop was directed by legal education expert, Professor Nick James from Bond University (with the assistance of Rochelle James) who examined current approaches to teaching animal law in Australia, with a view to identifying some 'best practice' principles. After morning tea, a panel discussion was held, which invited speakers to evaluate the adequacy of the Tasmanian animal welfare regime. The panel was chaired by Deputy Head of the Faculty of Law, Lynden Griggs, and included speakers from the Tasmanian Government, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and local Tasmanian animal welfare organisations (Brightside Farm Sanctuary and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary).
The Conference concluded with a second workshop, directed by Griffith University’s Steven White which encouraged participants to consider the current challenges and future directions for animal law in Australia.
| 9-9.15am: | Registration |
| 9.30-9.35am: |
Introduction Meg Good, Conference Co-ordinator |
| 9.40-10.20am: |
Eco-Justice for All: Contextualising Transgressions Against Humans, Animals and Environments Professor Rob White, UTAS |
| 10.30-11.30am: | Animals as Beneficiaries of Competition and Consumer Law and Policy Associate Professor Alex Bruce, ANU |
| 11.30-11.45am: |
Morning Tea |
| 11.45-1pm: | Keynote Address: Teaching and Living Animal law in the US: Lessons for Australia? Professor Marsha Baum, University of New Mexico |
| 1.00-2pm: | Lunch |
| 2.00-2.30pm: |
Indigenous Hunting and Fishing Rights in Australia and the Protection of Endangered Species Professor Gary Meyers, UTAS |
| 3.00-4.30pm: |
Public Q and A: Live Export and the Law - View Flyer (PDF 150 kB) Chair: Dana Campbell, CEO of Voiceless, the animal protection institute |
| 4.30-5pm: | Afternoon tea break (open to the public) |
| 9-10.30am: |
Workshop: Teaching Animal Law in Australia Directed by Professor Nick James, Bond University, (assisted by Rochelle James) |
| 10.30-11am: |
Role of Non-Profit Animal Welfare Groups in the Regulation of Animal Protection and the Development and Enforcement of Animal Law in Australia Shatha Hamade, Legal Counsel for Animals Australia |
| 11-11.15am | Morning Tea |
| 11.20-1pm: |
Panel Discussion: Evaluating Tasmania's Animal Welfare & Protection Framework Speakers: Mary Bennett, Professor Di Nicol, Robert Fisher, Dr Malcolm Caulfield, Emma Haswell and Greg Irons. |
| 1-2pm: | Lunch |
| 2-3pm: |
Assessment of the Legislative Framework Addressing Factory Farmed Animals and Kangaroos in Australia Ruth Hatten, Legal Counsel for Voiceless, the animal protection institute |
| 3-3.30pm: |
Intensive Factory Farming: Challenges for the Rule of Law Dr Melissa Perry QC |
| 3.30-5pm: |
Workshop: Current Challenges and Future Directions for Animal Law in Australia Directed by Steven White, Griffith University |
