Jennifer Horsburgh is proud to be running as your candidate for the McPherson electorate in the upcoming Federal Election.

She has lived in this electorate on the Gold Coast since 1982 and worked as a teacher for 30 years at Palm Beach Currumbin High School.  She is passionate about her community and is an ongoing volunteer for the Wildcare hotline, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, the Burleigh parish, and the Austrian-Australian club.

She strongly supports the Animal Justice Party's platform for the introduction of Veticare. Across Australia, families are struggling with the rising cost of living and family animals are unable to access the veterinary care they vitally need, including annual checkups, vaccinations and desexing. 

“That’s why we are calling for a nationwide Veticare scheme. Like Medicare for humans, it would provide a safety net for the most vulnerable animals in our communities”

Jennifer has a particular passion for the wellbeing of all animals including farm animals.

She says, “We will remove the conflict of interest that currently exists with the Minister for Agriculture also being in charge of animal welfare. This will be done by establishing a Federal Independent Office of Animal Protection (IOAP) to oversee the protection all animals from acts of violence and harm, including inside slaughter houses.”

Many elderly people resist going into aged care accommodation because they have to give up their beloved pet. This is extremely distressing for them. Jennifer will advocate for funding for animal-friendly aged care facilities as well as refuges and crisis accommodation for those escaping domestic violence situations. This would provide safe options for many people and their companion animals. 

Jennifer will prioritise an end to forest clearing, increase green spaces, push for crucial wildlife corridors and strongly advocate for ‘transitioning away from animal agriculture’ as a key part of our Climate Transition Strategy.

“Animal agriculture is a primary driver of climate change and is responsible for 83% of land clearing so we must end all intensive animal farming and assist farmers in transitioning to more sustainable and lucrative plant based business. Puppy farms are another form of intensive ‘animal farming’ and also must be stopped.”