Mount Eliza Animal Welfare Crisis: Advocates Condemn Institutional Failures

Photo: Carol Augustinus, edited by STPL News

MOUNT ELIZA — After more than 14 weeks of protest, two local advocates leading the campaign to rescue animals from a Moorooduc Highway property say they are appalled by what they describe as “wilful inaction” from multiple institutions — and they’re no longer pulling punches.

Carly Wines, who has maintained a daily presence at the property, and Tracey Asquith, who has taken the fight to state parliament and the RSPCA’s headquarters, say the suffering of animals under Maxine Fraser’s care is only worsening — and authorities are running out of excuses.

“It’s not a matter of awareness anymore,” said Wines.

“They all know what’s going on,” added Asquith. “And they’re doing nothing.”

Must Watch

“They Have the Power — They Just Won’t Use It”

Asquith, who recently delivered a formal protest letter to RSPCA Victoria CEO Liz Walker, accused the organisation of misleading the public by claiming its hands are tied under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA) 1986.

“They absolutely have the power to seize,” she told STPL News.

“I’ve read POCTA front to back. The powers are there. What’s lacking is the guts to act.”

“They’re Holding These Animals Hostage” — Criticism of RSPCA Funding Strategy

Asquith believes the RSPCA’s reluctance to intervene may be tied to funding negotiations with the Victorian Labor Government.

“They’re using these animals as leverage to pressure the government for more funding,” she said.

“They got an extra $2.5 million last year, and now they want $4.7 million a year for four years. Fine — negotiate. But don’t hold the Mount Eliza animals hostage in the meantime.”

Asquith said early RSPCA media releases focused more on criticising government funding shortfalls than addressing the urgent welfare needs at the property.

“It’s emotional blackmail, and it’s disgraceful.”

“Everyone’s Looking the Other Way” — Council and Police Also Under Fire

Asquith also pointed to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Victoria Police as having failed in their duty to act.

“The council knew she was illegally breeding dogs. She’s had an industrial container sitting on a fire lane for months. If anyone else did that, they’d be fined — but they haven’t touched her,” she said.

“The police could have taken her for a mental health assessment in the early days. They didn’t. Now it’s a complete mess.”

According to Asquith, there are ongoing environmental concerns on the property as well, including burn pits, bones scattered across paddocks, and a pond of unknown condition.

“There are bones on the nature strip. Containers blocking fire access. Dead animals being incinerated. What more do they need?”

“This Is a Mental Health Crisis — and a Welfare Crisis”

While both Asquith and Wines stress they are not mental health professionals, both believe Maxine Fraser is unwell and incapable of managing the dozens of animals in her care.

“She’s a compulsive hoarder,” said Asquith.

“She has no insight. She sees dead animals and thinks it’s normal. That’s not someone who’s going to improve.”

“She genuinely believes she’s doing a good job,” added Wines. “But you walk onto that property and it’s a graveyard.”

Fraser reportedly rejected multiple offers of assistance from rescue organisations and Racing Victoria, and has refused to surrender animals even after publicly acknowledging she cannot afford to feed them.

Two-Front Campaign: On the Ground and In Parliament

Wines continues to document conditions daily, while Asquith is gathering support through e-petitions in both houses of Parliament, aiming to force long-stalled legislative reform.

“The only way I can get the Animal Care and Protection Bill onto the floor is to get 10,000 signatures in the lower house,” Asquith said.

“It’s not easy. But it’s gaining momentum — and once it’s tabled, they have to debate it.”

“The RSPCA Knows. The Government Knows. What Are They Waiting For?”

Wines said she met with RSPCA inspectors recently, who explained their reliance on a body-scoring system to determine whether horses are in distress. But she says that approach ignores the deeper suffering protesters see every day.

“They want photos of hips sticking out, but they don’t care about bleeding from parasites or signs of internal collapse,” she said.

“Every horse there would fail a basic faecal egg count. That’s horse care 101.”

She said the animals receive just enough food before each RSPCA visit to appear marginally fed — and then starve until the next inspection.

“It’s a cycle. And they know it.”

What Comes Next

Asquith is now working to form a coalition calling for an independent animal welfare inspectorate, completely separate from the RSPCA and government departments.

“We want a body that oversees agricultural, domestic and wildlife welfare — with full transparency,” she said.

“Policies, finances, investigations. Everything.”

Wines, meanwhile, remains on the ground.

“We’ve got pregnant mares, starving goats, dogs howling in locked sheds,” she said.

“This is urgent. We can’t wait for another foal to die.”

How to Help

Supporters are urged to:

• Sign the e-petitions (available via the Facebook group Peaceful Protest – Mount Eliza Horses)
• Write to their MP and demand immediate action under POCTA
• Join or support local protests
• Share verified updates, especially ahead of the next state election

“This is no longer about awareness,” said Asquith.

“It’s about accountability.”

Related:

• Rotting Horse Discovered as Mt Eliza Animal Protests Enter Week 14