Address to LambEx, Adelaide

Acknowledgments omitted.

Firstly, it’s a real pleasure to be here as your new minister.  

I know you’ve been working closely with Murray for the last two years.

I’ve previously worked in this portfolio in opposition, and so I know that Australia’s agriculture industry is absolutely world-class.

As we celebrate the incredible success of our nation’s athletes at the Olympics in Paris, it’s a good time to acknowledge that our farmers and producers are also world leaders.

That’s why I am so excited to be in this new role.

I’m glad I could make it here after a six-year hiatus.

LambEx is an important event for the sheep industry, and I know that we’re all glad to have it back.

This is a rare event that brings the entire industry together to celebrate all things sheep, lamb, and wool.

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting LambEx this year with $1 million in sponsorship.

We believe this is important, as events like LambEx give the industry a chance to get together and learn from each other.

This year’s theme, ‘inspire, advocate, innovate’ is a snapshot of where the industry is heading.

Australia’s sheep industry is nothing short of remarkable.

Australia is the world's largest exporter of sheep meat and according to ABARES, the price of sheep meat is set to rise this year.

Australia is also the world’s largest producer of wool.  

This country sets the standard internationally for quality in the wool market through the Woolmark brand.  

I know this isn’t news for the people in this room, but it’s something to remember and to be proud of.

Anyone in the agricultural sector knows it’s an industry of peaks and troughs, of good times and difficult.

Likewise, there are challenges in the sheep industry.

I am aware that Meat and Livestock Australia has forecast a contraction in the national flock for next year.

I also acknowledge that our decision to phase out live sheep exports by sea is not universally supported.

But it’s not a recent decision – it has been our policy since 2018. We made a committment.

It is now law that the trade will continue without caps or quota until 1 May 2028.

With this certainty, and a four-year lead time, affected producers can make decisions appropriate to their circumstances.

To put it in perspective, it is less than 1 per cent of Australia’s sheep and lamb industry.

We will support the industry through this change, including a commitment of $107 million in the last Budget.

We will be working with the WA Government on the best way to roll out that support.

I know I have an important role to play to make this transition as smooth as possible.

There are many positives for the sheep and lamb industry in Australia.  

ABARES has forecast sheep meat and live sheep production to grow in value by around $200 million to $4.6 billion this financial year.

Wool production is set to rise in value by nearly $60 million to $2.9 billion at the same time.

In the longer term, overseas consumption of sheep meat is forecast to grow by 15 percent, with a 48 per cent increase in producer price for Australian sheepmeat, over the decade to 2031 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

There are real opportunities to expand our trade with countries like the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates.  

Australian lamb and sheep meat is a high-quality product with a distinctive flavour.  

It is produced to the highest standards of sustainability and animal welfare.  

It is unique and sheep producers can capitalise on this.  

There are great opportunities for sheepmeat exports.

I’m optimistic about the future of this industry, and the fact that you are all here, looking to develop ideas and work together, says that you have a strong vision for the future of this industry as well.

Thank you all and I hope you enjoy the conference.