AVA Priorities 2025 Federal Election: Help get the message out

06 Nov 2024
2025 Cover image iStock-1496186593.jpg

 

The AVA encourages members to talk to local MPs and candidates about the issues facing the veterinary profession in the upcoming federal election.

In the lead-up to the 2025 Federal Election, the AVA presents five election priorities. Investment in these priorities is crucial to secure the sustainability, resilience, and growth of Australia's veterinary sector.

Read the complete priorities here.

"We have just launched our 2025 Election Priorities and we need member’s help to get this important document in front of their local federal MPs," said Dr Sally Colgan, President AVA. "We need as many voices as possible to help reinforce that investment in these priorities is crucial to securing the sustainability, resilience, and growth of Australia's veterinary sector," Dr Colgan said. 

Between now and the federal election, the AVA will formally meet with key federal ministers, shadow ministers, cross-bench MPs and industry stakeholders. With the help of you, our members, we can extend our reach even further.

Veterinarians are essential to Australia's biosecurity, public health, animal welfare, and food security. Vets support food safety, protect communities from animal diseases, and contribute to Australia's multi-billion-dollar livestock industries. Yet, workforce shortages, mental health challenges, and unfunded public good services are stretching the profession to its limits. 

To continue providing essential services, urgent, targeted support across the following five areas is needed: 

1. Robust Workforce 
A Committment to Rural Practice Scheme forgiving HECS-HELP debt and expanded rural subsidies to address shortages in regional areas.

2. Mental Health for Vets 
Support for mental health programs tailored to veterinary professionals to build resilience in the workforce.

3. Public Good Services Funding
Funding for wildlife care, biosecurity programs, and emergency disaster care is needed to relieve the financial strain on practices that provide critical public services.

4. Training Tomorrow's Vets
Inclusion of veterinary students in the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme and increased university funding per student to secure Australia's future workforce. 

5.  Animal Health & Welfare Standards 
Support for a national veterinary antibiotic and resistance surveillance system and incentives to strengthen biosecurity and welfare standards.

Read the complete priorities here.
 
How you can lend your voice to the call for change 

  • Download and read the AVA's 2025 Federal election priorities.
  • Find out who your local candidates are:
    • Check your electorate here - https://check.aec.gov.au/
    • Find your local candidates:
    • Write, email, or call your local candidates.
      • For instance, you can share how a particular issue has affected your practice or community or how a proposed solution could make a difference. The more personalised you can make your correspondence and conversations, the better. Pick the issues in the AVA election priorities that resonate most with you and your area.
      • Your personal experiences are invaluable. Use stories from your own practice to bring the issues in the AVA election priorities to life. Your experiences are powerful tools that can make a real difference.
      • Keep an eye out when you are out – often, candidates will be out meeting with the public. This is an excellent opportunity to have your say directly with them.
      • Download a template letter to your local MP (auto-download)

      Between now and the election, the AVA will be releasing a series of stories and tiles through social media. We encourage you to share these within your social media networks, as it will help us build a significant movement for change.

      Read the complete priorities here.

Election Platform as PDF