Hon Mia Davies MLA: Statement on live sheep export ban
Member for Central Wheatbelt Hon Mia Davies MLA has delivered a statement in Parliament on the devastating decision of the Albanese Labor Government to shut down live sheep export.
The transcript of the 90 Second Statement is below, or you can watch at https://bit.ly/3ZPEsst
Please sign the petition to be tabled in Parliament in Mia’s Northam or Merredin electorate office during business hours, or you can add your name to the e-petition here: https://bit.ly/3SwPYX7
Help us send a message to the McGowan and Albanese Labor Government.
90 Second Statement – Live Sheep Trade
I rise to place my support for the thousands of people and hundreds of businesses and livelihoods linked to the live sheep export industry – and to express my deep anger, concern, and opposition to the Federal Labor Government’s decision to shut it down.
I stand by those farmers, truck drivers, shipping companies, livestock agents, veterinarians, port workers, shearers, feedlot businesses and all involved in the sector – no legitimate industry should ever be closed for political reasons, or to suit activist agendas.
Whilst there have been challenges – it is an industry that has undertaken significant reforms that have seen best practice animal welfare outcomes achieved on an international scale.
The trade employs about 3,500 people across the supply chain – 80 per cent of those based here in Western Australia, many in my electorate of Central Wheatbelt.
Labor’s decision is devastating, driven by the desire to appease animal activists and capture inner-city votes.
The Albanese Labor Government is no friend of Western Australia – and neither is the McGowan State Government. I have never seen a less enthusiastic, muted and defeatist attitude than that shown by Minister Jacquie Jarvis and Premier McGowan when it comes to standing up for West Australians on this issue.
If they truly supported the industry they would be on the front foot every day railing against this decision. Instead, they shrug their shoulders and relinquish this important industry to a political hatchet job by their own Party and Prime Minister.
Industry and its leaders should demand more of their State Agriculture Minister, and WA should punish the Albanese Government at the next election – Labor is no friend of regional Western Australia.