Sheep farms across Western Australia (WA) are undertaking significant destocking and early job losses have started, and yet not a single cent in transition support has left Canberra.

Sheep Producers Australia has always and continues to strongly oppose any policy seeking to phase out live sheep exports.

In passing legislation to ban live sheep exports by sea last night, the Labor Government has shown it continues to choose back-room preference deals and appeasing animal activists over the proper process and supporting rural communities.

More than 2,000 farmers and a convoy of 40 trucks from across Australia came together on Tuesday to stand united on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra and send a united message to all politicians and political persuasion.

Sheep Producers Australia is proudly hosting young producers and colleagues from around the world this week in the lead-up to LambEx 2024 to share the story of Australia’s sheep industry and foster relationships that enhance global collaboration.

Sheep Producers Australia would like to commend and publicly acknowledge the Senators, especially Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, and Senator David Pocock, who have backed an inquiry into the live export of sheep by sea phase-out legislation and for the support they have shown our rural communities.

Sheep Producers Australia has long held the position that the policy decisions made for Australian agriculture must be evidence-based, strategic, inclusive, and collaborative.

Sheep Producers Australia would like to acknowledge and welcome the appointment of Tasmanian MP Julie Collins as Federal Agriculture Minister, Senator Anthony Chisholm as Assistant Minister to the Agricultural portfolio, and the announcement of the frontbench by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra yesterday.

Farmers came together again in their thousands today in Western Australia as they continued their fight against the Albanese Government’s ban on the live export of sheep by sea. Sheep Producers Australia Board Director and local farmer Bindi Murray said the Inquiry into Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 sought to phase out an important supply chain which provided jobs and supported families, small businesses, and country towns.