Emma Husar (Lindsay, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's a disgrace that this morning we had this government shutting down and gagging debate in this parliament on such an important issue. The 60 Minutes footage that we all saw shook me to my core, and if it didn't shake those on the opposite side, it should have. I, along with many members of my community, were dismayed to see the animals suffering in such inhumane conditions.

My electorate of Lindsay has spoken up. They've approached me at train stations, at my mobile offices and on their doorsteps when I'm doorknocking, and they have asked me to act. They have asked me what I am going to do about this to make sure it never happens again. There have been thousands and thousands of emails and phone calls. This government gagging the debate today is absolutely disgraceful.

I applaud the courage of the brave whistleblower who brought this inhumane and tragic suffering to light, as well as the ABC and 60 Minutes for their continued exposure of these horrible practices and for their investigative journalism over the last many, many decades.

Australia is the world's largest exporter of sheep and its second-largest producer of lamb. Around 200,000 people are employed in the red meat industry including in on-farm production, processing and retail. The gross value of the lamb and mutton production, including live exports, in 2016-17 is estimated at just under $4 billion. Labor understands the importance of live export and the meat industry.

Mr Wallace interjecting—

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