Live sheep house committee

Yesterday I asked the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture to hold an inquiry into our government’s legislation to end live sheep exports.

I have requested the committee produce an advisory report by 21 June 2024.

This afternoon the committee has confirmed they will hold two hearings, one in Western Australia and one in Canberra.

The Australian Government went to the last two elections with a promise to phase out live sheep exports by sea.

This commitment has broad support across the Australian community, with independent polling showing more than 70% of West Australians support the phasing out of live sheep exports.

In March 2023 I appointed a four-person independent panel to provide advice to government on when and how the phase out could occur.

In conducting its consultation, the panel:

• engaged with over 2,000 attendees at in-person forums and 330 attendees at virtual forums
• held over 80 meetings with organisations and farmer representative groups
• received over 800 written submissions and 3,300 survey responses.

In October 2023, the panel provided its report to government which included 28 recommendations, including that live sheep exports by sea should end on 1 May 2028 and that the date should be enacted through primary legislation.

The Australian Government has adopted these recommendations and provided a $107 million transition support package to assist farmers and communities plan for and manage the transition.

I acknowledge there are a range of strong views on this policy within industry, the community, and the Parliament.

As such, I consider it important an inquiry into this legislation is undertaken prior to passage in either chamber of the Parliament.

An inquiry held by the House Committee would enable the participation of members whose electorates have a strong interest in the legislation.

Furthermore, the Bill will provide appropriate legislative authority to implement programs under the $107 million transition support package.

Making this funding available as soon as possible will support sheep farmers, processors and supply-chain businesses to plan and make decisions appropriate to their circumstances.

Legislating the end date of live sheep exports by sea in a timely manner will provide the certainty sheep farmers and the Australian community have been asking for.

There is a strong future for the Western Australian sheep industry, with more sheepmeat exports creating more local jobs and more benefit to the local economy.

Committee membership:

• Chair - Ms Meryl Swanson MP
• Deputy Chair - Mr Rick Wilson MP
• Members – 
  • Mr Matt Burnell MP
  • Dr Mike Freelander MP
  • Mr Brian Mitchell MP
  • Ms Tania Lawrence MP
  • Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP
  • Mr Aaron Violi MP
  • Mr Andrew Wilcox MP