Local animal rescuer endorsed as candidate

THE Animal Justice Party has endorsed Austin Cram as the lead Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria in the 2022 State Election. 

Austin is a local animal advocate who lives with 29 rescued animals including 17 roosters, just outside Korumburra. 

He currently works as a town planner but has decided to stand due to continuing state government inaction on ecological, environmental and climate issues, especially in the planning system.

Austin is passionate about incentivising revegetation of native habitats, ending duck shooting, proper care for domestic and farm animals as well as reinvesting into regional public transport. Austin hopes to stand alongside Andy Meddick in Parliament and hold the government to account on issues such as animal welfare and climate change.

“When elected, I will push unapologetically to end duck shooting, tackle climate change and build an intersectional and equitable society for all,” Austin Cram said. 

"We have a planning system that still doesn't recognise the harm urban sprawl and car dependence has on animals and the planet and a government with no interest in changing it

"The major parties have been inexcusably inactive on animal and ecological issues. We need change now to avoid irreversible collapse to our ecosystems."

The Eastern Victoria electoral region will be redrawn as part of the 2022 state election and will include Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham and parts of the Dandenong Ranges. 
It will include the seats of Bass, Evelyn, Gippsland South, Gippsland East, Hastings, Monbulk, Mornington, Morwell, Narracan, Nepean and Pakenham.
Austin can be reached for further information, media comments or interviews by email on elections@ajpvic.org.au or through Facebook.

The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is a political party that formed in 2009 in response to the growing number of voters who feel strongly that much more needs to be done through the parliamentary systems to assist the wellbeing of animals.