THE Nationals, on both a state and federal level, along with farming groups have again called on the federal government to rescind its decision to ban live sheep exports, rejecting an increase in the funding package for the industry.
The Nationals federal leader David Littleproud earlier this week reiterated that a future coalition government will reinstate the live sheep export trade, following Labor’s announcement of ‘extra funding’ for the ‘transition’ to phase out the trade.
Mr Littleproud said the extra $32.7 million shouldn’t be there in the first place.
“Farmers don’t want compensation, they want their industry,” Mr Littleproud said.
“If they’re not in the industry, there will be the senseless death of millions of sheep from those countries who take up this market, that don’t have our animal welfare standards.
“The Nationals support our farmers and our live sheep export trade and will ensure our live sheep trade returns under a future Coalition Government.
“In fact, if elected, as future Agriculture Minister, one of the first things I will do is travel to the Middle East to bring back confidence and restore trade relationships to those who seek our world-class live sheep from Australia.
“This funding is disingenuous and a mere PR exercise.
“It does nothing to help the 3000 farmers who have had their livelihoods taken away.
“Since Labor’s previous announcement for a transition package of $107m, which included just $64.6m for sheep producers and the supply chain side, not one cent has gone to helping our live sheep farmers.”
Mr Littleproud said live sheep exports from Australia also increased from 380,000 in 2022 to more than 654,000 in 2023, but the WA flock was now decreasing from 12 million and expected to drop to eight million by 2025, with the state likely to start seeing the closure of abattoirs.
Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel Matt Moran, who has been meeting outraged farmers around Bullwinkel and travelled to Canberra for the Keep the Sheep rally, said farmers feel rejected by Labor.
“Farmers are understandably livid about the proposed ban and they are worried about the devastating impact it will have on our rural communities.
“Labor are set to destroy an industry to try and win inner city votes – it’s politics at its worst.”
Meanwhile, Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton has rejected claims the organisation was involved in the design of the compensation package.
“ALEC has stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers since this reckless policy was first introduced and we remain resolute that the repeal of this legislation is the only reasonable course of action,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.
“The minister claims to be listening to farmers.
“If she were listening, she would hear loud and clear that transition is unwelcome, both domestically and with our trading partners, who will continue to require livestock.
“The government cannot buy its way out of this appalling policy decision, and it should reverse the ban.
Keep the Sheep’s Ben Sutherland said his group did not want government handouts or their help.
“We just want them to get out of the way and let us get on with the job,’’ he said.
WA’s Keep the Sheep campaign has gained the support of the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) who have agreed to back their protest and rally on the steps of Parliament House in Canberra on September 10.
Keep the Sheep campaign organiser Ben Sutherland said the NFF joining the rally was a big deal.
“It means that farmers right across the country are standing with us. And it's not just sheep exports where the government isn't listening with new taxes, water buybacks, environmental red and green tape, and transmission lines carving up prime agricultural land,” Mr Sutherland said.
“For too long, the Albanese government has listened to noisy activists to the detriment of our farmers and rural communities. It needs to stop.
“The government needs to get out of the way and let us do what we do best – feeding and clothing the world.”
The campaign has also gained the support of the young farmers advocacy group, AgConnectWA, who have begun fundraising in the fight of farmers and the farming industry.
“Importantly, however, this support shows that young people who want a future in sheep farming are not just laying down and giving up,” Mr Sutherland said.
The young farmers raised more than $30,000 for the Keep the Sheep campaign at a sold-out fundraising gala ball held last week, bringing the fundraising war chest to more than $500,000 for advertising in marginal Labor seats in WA.
The Keep the Sheep online petition has already attracted more than 87,000 signatures, far exceeding its original goal of 60,000 signatures.
The online petition and further information on the ban can be found at https://www.keepthesheep.com.au/petition
Durrack MHR Melissa Price at the Muresk enquiry.
June 27, 2024
THE federal Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has handed down the advisory report for its inquiry into the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024.
The committee’s public hearing held recently at Muresk, attended by the federal member for Durack, Melissa Price, took evidence from a range of stakeholders representing industry, government, local communities and animal welfare groups.
The inquiry received more than 13,000 contributions from people supporting and opposing the bill and offering feedback on its contents.
Ms Price said to date, it appeared only 663 submissions had been uploaded on to their website, and she questioned how many have actually been taken into consideration.
“The outcome was just as we expected from this ‘kangaroo court’ of an inquiry; nothing has changed. What a complete waste of time and energy for all involved,” she said.
“The farmers and industry stakeholders took time out of their very busy schedules to attend and give evidence, and for what? They have had their heartfelt pleas and genuine supportive evidence shoved back into their faces.
“Whilst some committee members hurried off back to their city homes to have lamb chops for dinner, our farmers returned to the reality of their own lives, with their future in doubt.”
She said in addition to recommending that the bill be passed, the committee has made two recommendations, albeit weasel words.
These are that the federal government considers making additional funding available to support the industry transition, potentially through the 2026 stocktake of industry progress; and continues to seek opportunities to work with the WA government to refine and implement the transition support package.
“This bill represents complete and absolute treachery from Labor to Western Australian farmers and regional communities within the electorate of Durack and indeed all of regional WA,” she said.
“Our animal welfare standards continue to be among the highest in the world. The consequences of this legislation are not merely political; they are deeply personal and devastating to the livelihoods of hardworking Western Australians who rely on this industry,’’ she said.
To access the full report visit this website.
Nationals WA leader Shane Love, Senator Bridget McKenzie, Central Wheatbelt MLA Mia Davies, Member for Central Wheatbelt, Nationals Central Wheatbelt candidate Lachlan Hunter and Legislative Council candidate Rob Horstman.
THE standing committee on agriculture’s public meeting for the live sheep phase out enquiry at Muresk on June 14 has attracted national media attention, with the issue also being aired on the 7.30 Report earlier this week.
The impact on farmers, their families, the agricultural industry in general and local communities was put under the spotlight, along with the consequences the ban would have on sheep prices and implications for the processing industry.
Farmers told the parliamentary inquiry that some Wheatbelt towns will not survive if the live sheep export trade is banned by 2028 as planned.
Farmers, shearers, truckies, agricultural workers and community members rolled up, while farming utes lined up for kilometres in a united front to oppose the federal government’s live sheep export ban.
Further exposure was given by the attendance of One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and Nationals senator for Victoria and leader of the Nationals in the Senate Bridget McKenzie.
Member for Central Wheatbelt MLA Mia Davies told Echo News that the Labor Party was an ideological menace with no conscience or understanding of our regional economy – and they need to go.
“They have treated this legitimate industry with contempt from the day they announced the decision.
“It is clear there has been no thought to the human or economic impact on the broader agricultural sector and communities that rely on it by removing this avenue for sheep producers and the supply chain.
“The rally through Perth, and the turn-up to Muresk for the Federal Parliament’s hastily convened inquiry was a superb show of force from our region and its supporters.
“The ‘Keep the Sheep’ convenors and organisers of the rallies have the full support of The Nationals here and in the federal parliament, and we’ll keep fighting for what is right. We stand with our farmers, shearers, stock agents, truckies, and small businesses and their families.
“I fear for the future of our schools, health services, volunteer run groups, businesses and communities, and I’m mad as hell that a Prime Minister and his government would be proud to create this stress and havoc simply because they’re chasing a few inner-city green votes in Melbourne and Sydney.
“I’d be disgusted that a federal government can be so cavalier with our international trading partners future food security, and our own. We should be proud of the superior meat and wool product that have been bred over generations, instead the Labor Party is throwing us under a bus.
“The Prime Minister rolled into the Lodge on the back of Western Australian votes, and I will be making sure every last minute I have in Parliament as the Member for Central Wheatbelt is dedicated to making sure they are shown the door.”
Nationals candidate for Kalamunda Lisa Logan said the announcement of the shutdown of the live export industry showed yet again that Labor simply doesn’t care.
“Labor doesn’t care about the agricultural industry, the people, our regional communities, or our international trade partners.
“As a former farmer, my thoughts are with all those whose livelihoods are being jeopardised and I stand in solidarity with the ‘Keep the Sheep’ convenors and organisers of the rallies,” she said
The ‘Keep the Sheep’ online petition has already attracted more than 57,000 signatures out of its goal of 60,000 signatures.
The online petition and further information on the ban can be found here.
The House Committee holding an inquiry into the phase out, is looking for comment by affected people and will accept them through written submissions and public hearing attendances.
June 6, 2024
THE standing committee on agriculture will hold a public hearing for the live sheep phase out inquiry at Muresk in Northam on June 14, following the first public hearing in Canberra on June 12.
A WA Farmers spokesperson said the public hearing in Muresk will provide an opportunity for the committee to meet those most affected.
Federal minister for agriculture Murray Watt has called a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s phase out of live sheep exports.
The federal government has received a wide range of responses since announcing the ban last month, including a united opposition from the agricultural lobby.
While an independent panel has already looked into the ban, Minister Watt said it warranted further investigation.
An inquiry held by the House Committee would enable the participation of members whose electorates have a strong interest in the legislation.
Anyone who would like to share their views on the Bill can engage with the Committee in a number of ways including by making a written submission, or attending a public hearing where the Committee plans to hold a community statements session.
Stakeholders are encouraged to contact the secretariat as soon as possible to register your interest by emailing ClerkAssistant.Committees.Reps@aph.gov.au
For more information about the inquiry including information about how to upload a written submission, go to this webpage.
Submissions to the inquiry will be open until Tuesday, June 11.
