While animal testing is not used for the production of cosmetics in Australia, there is currently no legislation banning companies from doing so. Australian stores still stock cosmetic products from overseas that have been tested on animals or contain ingredients tested on animals. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Assistant Health Minister Ken Wyatt. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Assistant Health Minister Ken Wyatt announced plans to bring Australia into line with the European Union and New Zealand by July 1, 2017, following similar calls from Labor and the Greens. Under the plan, only new products would be banned while existing brands and products would not need to be removed from sale. Animal testing for medicinal clinical trials, medicinal drug development and medicinal studies would continue.

RSPCA chief scientist Bidda Jones said consumers were distressed by "cruel and unnecessary practices" in the cosmetics industry. RSPCA chief scientist Bidda Jones. "It's estimated that around 27,000 animals are still being used for cosmetic testing every year," Dr Jones said. "We look forward to examining the detail of the Coalition's proposed legislation, and its proposed timetable for implementation. "RSPCA Australia has been consulting with all political parties on this issue for several years, and we have overwhelming support from Australians."

Dr Jones said legislation previously put forward by Labor and the Greens meant bipartisan support for the plan was likely in the next parliament. Mr Wyatt said animal testing was no longer needed. He said the plan would give industry and retailers sufficient time to transition to non-animal tested products. "I can't see any reason why Australia shouldn't follow suit, which is why a Coalition government will legislate this change if re-elected," he said in a statement. "We acknowledge animal testing is essential in certain scientific contexts such as medicinal drug development but we want to make sure that it's only used in ethically justifiable circumstances." Labor's shadow assistant health minister Stephen Jones slammed the announcement on Friday.

"Today's announcement by [the] Coalition on animal testing very cynical," he wrote on Twitter. "They failed to support Labor's bill just 3 months ago." In February, deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek​ and Labor MPs Clare O'Neil and Stephen Jones introduced a bill to ban the testing of make-up on animals in Australia. It also called for an end to the importation and sale of new cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients that have been tested on animals. Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, Unilever, Revlon and Johnson & Johnson are among the biggest global beauty brands that still employ animal testing in cosmetics.