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This landmark publication, Veterinary Law and Practice in Australia1, arrives at a pivotal time for the Australian veterinary profession. It is the first substantive legal reference on veterinary practice in over four decades. Adjunct Professor Chris Corns has filled a glaring void in the professional literature with a work that is not only comprehensive and timely but also deeply practical, empathetic and reform-minded. As a Senior Advocacy Officer with the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), I can attest to the vital importance of this resource. Since the AVA received early access to draft chapters, the text has served as an invaluable reference for the AVA Member Services team in responding to member enquiries on legal and regulatory matters. The book's depth and clarity have significantly supported our advocacy efforts, including its use when drafting submissions to various consultations on veterinary legislation and Medicines and Poisons frameworks. These efforts include reviews of Veterinary Practice Acts, Regulations and associated reforms — areas where authoritative legal clarity has been sorely lacking until now. What distinguishes this book is the sensitivity and insight that Corns brings from his extensive experience in human health law. He is not simply mapping laws; he is untangling the complex web of legislative instruments that veterinarians must navigate across all eight Australian jurisdictions. The side-by-side jurisdiction comparisons in the appendices are particularly helpful in illustrating how fragmented and inconsistent the veterinary legal landscape remains. As highlighted in the preface, Corns addresses how veterinarians and their teams are expected to comply with legal structures that were never designed with veterinary practice in mind. Beyond its utility as a legal reference, the book is playing a role in informing the AVA's own policies and positions, especially where legislation, regulation or ethical obligations intersect. Whether engaging with State and Territory Veterinary Boards, Departments of Health or Government advisory bodies, this book has provided clarity, credibility and a platform for constructive dialogue. Importantly, Corns writes in accessible language, helping veterinarians—who are often time-poor and not legally trained—grasp the laws that affect their day-to-day work. The foreword by Dr. Peter Punch encapsulates many of the profession's long-standing challenges: from the lack of legal recognition for veterinary nurses in most jurisdictions to the continued absence of a national framework akin to that which exists for other health professions under Ahpra. The book's discussion of the National Recognition of Veterinary Registration (NRVR) and the still-fragmented application of this policy across jurisdictions is especially enlightening. As Punch points out, the regulatory inconsistencies have real and sometimes punitive consequences for practitioners who must be legally compliant wherever they work, often without clear guidance. The text also aligns with a broader push for reform that is already gathering momentum. Notably, it coincides with the recent NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into veterinary workforce shortages, ongoing reforms in Western Australia, and federal initiatives recognising veterinarians as health professionals. Veterinary Law and Practice in Australia1 will undoubtedly be a key reference as those reforms are debated and implemented. Corns does not shy away from the philosophical underpinnings of veterinary regulation. The preface poses the critical question: Why does the law treat veterinarians differently from doctors? The answer, as the author outlines, lies in the status of animals as property and the legal system's slow recognition of the essentiality of veterinary services. Yet, rather than lament this discrepancy, Corns proposes practical, incremental reforms — offering hope for a future in which veterinarians and their teams are properly recognised within legal and policy frameworks. Looking forward, I, like many others, keenly anticipate future editions. Since the publication of this edition, additional issues have been identified that merit inclusion. The eBook version is an immense asset for day-to-day reference, particularly for those outside the legal profession who need to quickly find jurisdiction-specific information. Veterinary Law and Practice in Australia1 is a seminal and highly readable contribution to the veterinary field. It will be indispensable not only for veterinary professionals but also for regulators, advocacy organisations and legal professionals navigating the intricacies of veterinary law. I commend Professor Corns for his intellectual generosity and dedication to the veterinary profession, and I recommend this book without reservation.