Victoria University of Wellington Student Association President and recently elected Wellington City Councillor, Tamatha Paul has added her voice to the campaign against the Forced Swim Test.

Tamatha Paul, writing in her capacity as the President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students Association (VUWSA), has sent a formal letter to the Victoria University of Wellington Animal Ethics Committee calling for them to end the use of the Forced Swim Test. In her letter, she describes how the use of the test reflects poorly on the institute and is contrary to the University’s progressive values, see a copy of her letter below. 

"I think it’s time that Victoria University makes the progressive change to commit to never conducting or funding this test again. On behalf of the student body, I’m calling on the Victoria University Animal Ethics Committee to make this commitment by the end of the month to give students some positive news to end the year on," Tamatha Paul.

Victoria University would be wise to listen to its student body. The Forced Swim Test is scientifically flawed and a risk to the institute's reputation. It’s time for Victoria University to ensure this cruel outdated test is never allowed to be conducted on campus grounds again.