Vegan activist Tash Peterson fights to attend UK festival in face of bankruptcy woes

Controversial vegan activist Tash Peterson is attempting to fundraise the money needed to leave Australia and attend “the world’s biggest vegan camp out” in the UK after she was forced to file for bankruptcy following a failed defamation fight involving a Perth vet last year.

The activist and her boyfriend Jack Higgs also had their passports confiscated when they filed for bankruptcy, after WA Supreme Court Chief Justice Peter Quinlan last year ordered the pair to pay $280,000 in damages.

Tash Peterson and her boyfriend Jack Higgs.Credit: GoFundMe

Peterson and Higgs had accused a Bicton vet of “eating her own patients”, and were ultimately unsuccessful in the resulting court battle, with Quinlan having found the pair published defamatory claims.

In the aftermath, Peterson took to social media to state she was bankrupt after being forced to hand over half a million dollars in legal costs and the defamation payout, and stated that “personal accounts have been wiped, which means we have no money for everyday living expenses”.

But Peterson has since been added to a line-up of international speakers, including Paul McCartney’s ex-wife Heather Mills, at a British vegan event that kicks off on August 29.

On Thursday, a GoFundMe was launched to help get her there and claims Peterson has to hand over $30,000 to the bankruptcy trustee to leave the country.

It has so far yielded no support.

“The Trustee is requesting a $30,000 bond to allow them to travel to the UK Vegan Camp Out,” the GoFundMe page states.

“Contributing to this bond will support their case for travel, though it may or may not be returned upon their return to Australia. If the funds are returned, all donations will be directed to the Farm Transparency Project, supporting ongoing animal rights activism.

“Every contribution helps them continue their advocacy and make this trip possible.”

The festival features a range of vegan influencers, as well as music and comedy performances.

Peterson is listed on the line-up for the event, described as being known “for her bold and attention-grabbing approach activism”.

“Tash’s work highlights the pervasive issue of speciesism and aims to abolish all forms of animal exploitation and slavery,” her write-up states.

“Her controversial style, which often includes acts of civil disobedience, serves as a catalyst for social awareness and change, as she believes media exposure is essential to raising visibility for animal rights.

“Through her activism, Tash seeks to challenge societal norms, advocating for a world where animals are no longer viewed as property or commodities but as beings with intrinsic rights.”

Peterson has made a name for herself as one of Australia’s most controversial vegan activists, staging protests outside restaurants and at agricultural shows.

Her latest post on her Instagram page details the extensive legal fallout of her dedication to veganism, which includes being slapped with 30 police “move on” orders, three restraining orders and 17 criminal convictions.

She has paid out over $10,000 in legal fines, more than $500,000 in defamation damages and completed 30 hours of community service.

Peterson is also banned for life from Perth’s Crown Towers, banned from four pubs and clubs in WA, banned from all Coles and Woolworths stores for two years, banned from all Victorian racecourses for two years, Ascot racecourse in Perth for two years and Optus Stadium and all AFL games for three years.

Peterson was contacted for comment.

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