Candidate for Molonglo - Simone Gray

Simone grew up in Canberra and has continued to live here, except for a few stints interstate. Simone is a long time campaigner for animals, most recently she campaigned against the killing of kangaroos at Googong Dam, the retail sale of fireworks, the shooting of brumbies and the live animal export trade. Simone studied at the University of Canberra and when not working for animals is employed in the communications field. Simone has also worked as a researcher and media advisor to a federal politician.

"I believe the people of Canberra want to live in a city that is known for its high standards, including the way we treat animals. If elected I would strive to make Canberra a more socially progressive and compassionate society for people and animals - especially battery hens."


Candidate for Molonglo - Jo McKinley

Jo McKinley moved to Canberra from Goulbourn when she was 18 and studied communications at UCAN. For five years Jo has run her own business, a successful dance school in Gungahlin. "The ACT should introduce improved methods of reporting instances of cruelty to animals. There is a strong link between animal cruelty and violence against humans and we need animal welfare agencies, law enforcement officials and social workers to work together to break the cycle of violence."

"Canberra is somewhat of a leader in animal welfare and if elected I will strive to make Canberra the Compassionate Capital of Australia."

Candidate for Ginninderra - Mike O'Shaughnessy

Mike was born in Melbourne in 1947. His job with the Commonwealth Public Service brought him to Canberra in 1982, and in 1984 Mike established his own IT consulting company. Mike is an active republican, a member of the ACT Branch Council of the Australian Republican Movement, and President of the ACT Vegetarian Society.

"It concerns me that in order to save a few cents an egg we sentence battery hens to a life of misery and pain. Canberrans take pleasure in the Rosellas and Cockatoos that share our yards and would never think of placing three or four of them into a cage so small they could not even spread their wings. Why, then, do we permit about a quarter of a million birds to be kept in these appalling battery cages here in Canberra?"


Candidate for Ginninderra - Anne Moore

Anne moved from Adelaide to Canberra in 1996 with her husband to work in the Commonwealth Public Service. "I believe the way we treat animals is reflected in the way we treat each other in modern society. Most of us would like animals to have a reasonable standard of life, unfortunately battery hens are not given that chance."

"In a country as big as Australia there is no reason to stick hens in cages so small they cannot even spread their wings. Free Range Canberra plans to change this and make animal welfare a priority in Canberra."

Candidate for Brindabella - Stephanie Elliott

Stephanie Elliott was born in Brisbane in 1983 and six weeks later moved to Kambah. She is currently studying Arts and Law at the Australian National University. Stephanie also works part-time and cares for a horse, donkey, dog and three rabbits. "From an early age I was concerned about the welfare of animals. It worries me that people do not apply the same feelings they have for companion animals, such as dogs and cats, to farm animals, such as battery hens."

"I believe there is widespread public support for the elimination of the battery cage, and that the main hurdle to its prohibition is the fact that battery hens are out of sight, out of mind. By running as a candidate for Free Range Canberra I hope to raise the profile of this important issue, and to encourage ordinary people to take a small amount of action in order to achieve a large result."