Aleesha Simoncini
Aleesha is an animal rights advocate, law and environmental science student and volunteer at Edgar’s Mission. She researches animal law for A/Prof Jane Kotzmann and manages Deakin’s Centre for Law as Protection. She presented a seminar in 2025 at Deakin University after animal law training in Belgium and Oxford and co‑organised a workshop on legal reform for dairy cows with Jane Kotzmann and Morgan Stonebridge. Aleesha began advocating for animals at 15 years old, delivering school and radio presentations, and has experience working with wildlife, farmed animals and conducting field work.
A Roadmap Towards a Kinder Future for Cows, Other Animals, People, and the Planet
The presentation provides a practical and legal roadmap for transitioning towards a kinder future beyond dairy. It will explore how communities, farmers, and consumers can work together to shift towards plant‑based food systems through law reform, societal change and government support.
The presentation will begin with an overview of the issues and laws surrounding dairy cows, the impacts on the planet and human health. It will examine law reform opportunities, including banning misleading labelling of “happy cows” and suggest transition pathways to support farmers towards plant‑based agriculture, rewilding or new careers.
Drawing on Aleesha’s learnings from Belgium and Oxford, she will explore how Australia can learn from international approaches. She will highlight the roles of sanctuaries and storytelling as tools for change and explore how plant-based alternatives and precision fermentation can support the transition.
The presentation will end with a hopeful dive into the future, exploring rewilding and habitat restoration for a kinder world for animals, people and the planet.
