Victorians Deliver Clear Mandate for Fur Ban, New Poll Shows

25 February 2026 – A new RedBridge poll of more than 2,000 Victorian voters has delivered a clear message to the Victorian Government: fur has no future in Victorian fashion, and the community is ready for a ban.

Commissioned by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, the research shows Victorians are overwhelmingly rejecting fur, and this new polling shows a clear public mandate – across parties, age groups and regions – for the Victorian Government to ban the sale of fur.

The polling confirms that acting to protect animals is politically popular – and that a fur sales ban is squarely in line with community expectations. Some 91% of Victorians say it is important that governments make and enforce laws protecting animals from cruelty and neglect​.

“The polling also clearly demonstrates that the community want better for animals and expect the government to introduce legislation that both protects animals and reflects community values,” says Ward.

FOUR PAWS warns that Australia is lagging behind global action on fur, as countries across Europe phase out fur farming or fur sales, while Australia still permits the import and sale of fur products linked to extreme cruelty and misleading labelling. The organisation has shared these poll results with the Victorian Government, with the aim for legislation banning fur sales in Victoria to become a reality.

Consumer deception: when ‘faux’ fur is real

FOUR PAWS investigations in Melbourne markets since 2019 have repeatedly exposed real fur being sold as “faux” or mislabelled as different species, with genetic testing revealing raccoon dog and other animal fur hidden in trims and pom‑poms. In 2025, FOUR PAWS spearheaded an Open Letter to the Hon. Nick Staikos MP, Minister for Consumer Affairs to introduce legislation to end fur sales across the state. 

A global tipping point on fur

The Victorian debate is unfolding against a global backdrop in which major fashion houses and governments are moving away from fur

A recent WWD analysis, “Fur’s Tipping Point? What the EU’s Coming Decision Could Mean for Luxury,” highlights how upcoming European Union decisions could reshape fur’s role in luxury fashion, with brands and regulators re‑evaluating fur’s place in modern markets.​

Polling across Europe and the UK shows overwhelming public rejection of fur, with strong support for bans on fur farming and fur sales.

Most fur sold in Australia is imported, often originating from European or Asian fur farms, meaning a Victorian ban would directly cut demand for overseas fur producers at a time when international pressure on the industry is intensifying.