The Animal Justice Party has endorsed Elly Mousellis as its candidate for Bass in the November State Election.
Ms Mousellis of Wonthaggi is the first candidate the Animal Justice Party has run in the seat of Bass and joins the five other candidates to challenge incumbent Labor MP Jordan Crugnale.
“I’m honoured to be running in the seat of Bass and shift the conversation towards building a kind and fairer Victoria for animals, people and our planet,” Ms Mousellis said.
“Veticare will not only ease the cost of living for so many struggling families, but also improve the lives of many vulnerable companion animals suffering who do not have access to the care they deserve.
“I think people should vote for me if they’re looking for more kindness in their Parliament – that’s what we offer.”
Ms Mousellis is standing to be a strong voice for the native wildlife and natural environment of the Bass district.
The 25-year-old said she supports an end to sand mining in the Westernport Woodlands and the preservation of the habitat for the animals that rely on it, fully supporting the aims of the Save Westernport Woodlands group.
At the state level, she plans to advocate to end the violence of recreational duck shooting and the use of 1080 poison on introduced species.
As well as being a carer to her bunny Leona, cockatiel Petrie, a gecko and 27 fish, Ms Mousellis works at a local pet supplies store where she works with families to provide the best care for their companion animals, battling misinformation and supporting them to find the right products for their animals.
She is a big supporter of the party’s “veticare” policy that seeks to provide subsidised veterinary care for those that need it, as well as open public vet clinics including specialised wildlife hospitals to ease the cost of living pressures on families as well as relieve pressure on overworked vets and vet nurses.
She is also an advocate for human issues, including the need for a more functional and practical local public transport system and the need to respond to our local domestic violence crisis, with a focus on the families and their companion animals who are suffering behind closed doors.
M Mousellis is standing to support Austin Cram, who is running for election in the upper house in this region for the Animal Justice Party.
The Animal Justice Party was founded in 2009 in response to the growing number of voters seeking better protections for animals in law.
In 2018 it elected its first MP, Andy Meddick, in Western Victoria.