What’s the cost of Animal Justice?

Mr Pearson stepped down as executive director of Animal Liberation Australia when he got the nod, vowing to fight "cruel" practices in agriculture from parliament.

The 55-year-old Newcastle resident has been "very much an activist" for about 20 years.

The former member of Animals Australia said he had "chained himself to fences and been involved in direct action" - but now he's entered the upper house he's "handed the mantle to young people coming through the ranks".

But the new position "wouldn't stop me taking part in relevant, non-violent action to bring change for animals suffering extreme and systemic cruelty", he said.

With Animal Liberation he triggered the furore over People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) mulesing boycott in 2003, when he promoted footage of the sheep management technique.

Animal Liberation has targeted numerous piggeries with public petitions and targeted media campaigns, using covert video surveillance. Mr Pearson has also promoted the use of drones to capture footage in an attempt to prove cruelty in feedlots.

Mr Pearson has had an apprehended violence order issued against him over surveillance at a piggery.

He said "most farmers are really very good with animals", but argued his election demonstrated public support for change to current animal welfare laws.

"I have been elected to represent the people's point of view," he said.

"If that's going to come at an economic cost, or force producers to move in a new direction, then so be it."

Mr Pearson said he hoped to see school curriculum increase education of "what animals experience in our culture". This would "invoke compassion and goodness in young people and that can only help society as they grow up".

However, Animal Justice is unlikely to hold the balance of power, given Christian Democrat Party's conditional support for the government's agenda, but Mr Pearson may be able to force the government to negotiate with Animal Justice if CDP's backing falters.

Greens Animal Welfare spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi said she would work with Mr Pearson "to achieve a necessary end to cruel treatment of animals with stronger legislation, regulation and monitoring".

"I am hoping for an increased focus on animal welfare issues at a time when people's awareness of issues such as factory farming, puppy farming and our failed system of preventing animal cruelty have never been higher."

Mr Pearson said a top priority would be to oppose so-called "ag-gag" trespass law reforms now before parliament.

Agriculture Minister Niall Blair said he has "every confidence" the government would be able to pass its reforms - and that government departments can address any animal welfare concerns.

"We don't need vigilante groups. I will not support anyone that puts biosecurity at risk."

Upper house MPs are elected to serve eight year terms.

Half of the chamber's 42 members stand for election every four years.

Ag doubts ability for reason

AGRICULTURE stakeholder groups are sceptical about the Animal Justice Party's entry to the upper house.

NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson said she was willing to co-operate with Animal Justice's new parliamentarian Mark Pearson, "but at this point of time it looks like finding common ground might be tricky".

"We will seek to meet with Mr Pearson (pictured) and offer to go on farm and show him how our members operate," Mrs Simson said.

She said recent animal liberation campaigns had been "hugely damaging for our industry, that already has very high animal welfare standards."

She said stronger animal welfare is not necessary.

"At the moment we have a clear policy position with the government around non-mandatory welfare standards. Farmers go well above whatever would be required by legislative codes."

Australian chicken meat executive director Dr Andreas Dubs questioned if Mr Pearson could be constructive in parliament.

"Whatever concession (our industry) makes it is never going to be enough.

"Ultimately their driver is there should be no use of animals in food production."

The Animal Justice Party wants to see society stop eating meat.

"We will encourage moving toward a plant based diet, meaning less animals will be slaughtered," Mr Pearson said.