Australia still permits the domestic sale of ivory — even though international trade is banned. Items claimed to be “antique” or “second-hand” can still be legally sold, creating a loophole that allows any illegally imported products to enter the market and sustain demand.
The ivory trade fuels rampant poaching and puts already threatened species like elephants and rhinos at grave risk.
In 2019, the Australian Government promised to ban Australia’s domestic ivory trade. Six years on, that promise remains unfulfilled. It’s time to close the loophole and end the sale of ivory in Australia for good. Every day of delay puts more animals at risk.
Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and China have already shut down their domestic ivory markets. Australia must not fall behind.
