We're still standing!!!

It seems to have been a month of bad news for the brumbies! The continuance in aerial culling, the negative result from SMBUG Court Case. It seems never ending.

But never give up and walk away.....

Update on ABMO 24 August 2024

On June the 18th the Australian Brumby Management Organisation (ABMO), put forward a proposal to Mrs Penny Sharpe, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Minister for Environment and Heritage; Naomi Stephens, Acting Deputy Secretary, National Parks and Wildlife Service; and Steven Coleman, CEO RSPCA NSW.

The ABMO is supported by many brumby organisation and rehomers, with decades of working to help to save these iconic heritage horses and give them a future where they would be managed well, whatever their needs – be it remaining in the Parks, moving to a Sanctuary, or being rehomed and adopted to a life as a domestic horse.

We asked for a seat at the table with the three organisations, Government, NPWS and the RSPCA to build a cohesive plan that would be funded by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Minister for Environment and Heritage.

Our end goal was to assist in the definition and implementation of humane management strategies for displaced Brumbies by:

• Defining and providing guidance on best practice management, including passive trapping, handling, transport and ongoing care (rehoming, adoption, sanctuary) to all member associations, groups and individuals

• Providing financial support to all member associations, groups and individuals working in the field of rescue, rehoming and sanctuary of Brumbies across Australia

• Providing advice and working with non-member associations to share best practices and better welfare outcomes

• Providing ongoing review and recording of all Brumbies involved with ABMO to ensure visibility of outcomes achieved

We believe that this approach benefits the Government as it removes the pressure on the Government, RSPCA and National Parks and Wildlife to manage the Brumbies’ complex needs.

The benefits to the ABMO are from being able to draw on decades of consolidated experience regarding the horses’ welfare, well-being and retention of their heritage values to take accountability for the results.

On August 7 2024, a response was received from NPWS acknowledging “the efforts of the relevant groups that have collaborated to establish the Australian Brumby Management Organisation, and recognise the common interest in ensuring best practice wild horse management outcomes.”  They made it clear that no current NSW Government funding is available, but that they will add the ABMO into NPWS’ contact list for issues relating to rehoming. 

So whilst not our desired result of a direct seat at the table to discuss the proposal, and obtain funding, it isn’t a door slammed in our face either.  And we will continue to work quietly away and let those in the decision-making roles aware that we are still here, and still willing to work to a solution.

In addition, the ABMO has contacted Minister Sharpes’ office to offer assistance in reviewing and improving rehoming in time for brumbies becoming available again in 5 to 6 weeks time.

Concerns have been raised by a member of the MLC, Wes Fang, around standards that were raised during the rehoming inquiry post the allegedly slaughtered brumbies had been found, and that there has been no change to the criteria, nor indication of a plan to do so.

We will continue working in the background. And feel free to use any of the material on this page to share with Politicians, influencers, or on social media in the hope that we can get the true story of what is happening to the Brumbies to more people.