Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024. Over the years, for too long now, we've heard in this place, and we've seen many images on TV news reports et cetera, that live sheep exports have raised serious ethical concerns. That's why this government promised at the last election to phase them out. We will fulfil that promise, and that is what this bill is about. We said so, and we're now taking action to do so. It's time to move away from this very outdated practice and focus on creating more value, right here in Australia.

There is a demand for boxed or frozen meat; there's a big demand, worldwide. We are growing our exports in frozen meat, sending it all over the world, and this will create more jobs and value-add to a particular product that we export. As I said, it's time to move away from the outdated practice and focus on creating more value and creating jobs right here in Australia.

You don't have to look far back in my home state of South Australia; we had the Gepps Cross meatworks, where thousands of people were employed. They shut down back in the nineties, when there was a move to export live overseas, losing thousands of jobs. We can recreate those jobs right here at home in Australia over the next few years. We've consulted extensively with farmers, industry experts and the community to ensure that we get this transition right—that we get it right for the farmers, right for rural areas and right for the economy. It's about ensuring a fair go for everyone involved.

Change is never easy, we know that, but we're backing it up with a $107 million support package to support people in the industry. This funding is crucial for helping those farmers and others in the supply chain to adjust to those new opportunities that exist. As I said, this funding is absolutely crucial. As a government, we've taken the time to get this right, and we know that farmers and other industry participants need time to prepare for the pathway forward. This approach strikes the right balance, based on extensive industry and community consultation. The government's $107 million package and plan support the sheep industry to seize the opportunity for more onshore processing. This means more local jobs and value-adding to a product, helping the economy right here at home and creating jobs.

We're determined to build a strong and sustainable future for the Australian wool and sheepmeat industry, and we want that future to be right here in Australia. I'll give an example. Currently, we're exporting live sheep to Kuwait, which has one of the largest abattoirs in the world. They then slaughter the sheep and export to the entire Middle East and other countries. They're value-adding to our product and making money out of it, which is benefiting their economy. We could do that right here in our own country. We can do that right here, providing jobs and value-adding to the product. We want the future to be here in Australia, and we're giving certainty to sheep producers and to the supply chain by legislating a date and providing a well-planned, collaborative transition away from this trade.

The live sheep export industry has been in decline. It has actually been in decline for many years—down from $415 million in 2002-03 to $77 million in 2022-23. But processed sheepmeat, both here and overseas, has been in high and increasing demand. Every contributor to this industry has been taken into account—and we will continue to do so—from farmer and truck drivers to shearers and processors. That's because we are committed to ensuring, as I said earlier, that no-one is to be left behind. Australians overwhelmingly support ending live exports because they expect the highest standard for our animals and for animal welfare. And by managing this phase-out thoughtfully, more opportunities for work and economic growth will remain here in Australia: that's our goal. This isn't just about meeting expectations; this is about leading with integrity as well. This is progress. This is about creating jobs and ensuring that the cruel live sheep exports are ended. As I said, this isn't just about meeting expectations; it's about leading with integrity.

To those who stand opposite and oppose this, I'd ask them to take a moment to think about the opportunities that this transition will have for all of our constituents, in rural areas and in the cities, and to work to ensure that every Australian is looked after and heard in every electorate. I know every electorate is diverse, with varying views, opinions and concerns. I ask that they consider the industry and those directly affected and listen to the voices urging us to act on this phase-out.

We can do better; we should have done better many years ago; and we will do better. What I'm saying is: let's work together to get this phase-out right for the farmers, for the regional areas and for the entire population of Australia by value-adding to a product, by creating jobs and by exporting, in a humane way, boxed meat or frozen meat, which there is a growing demand for. I support this bill, and I know that it will build a better future right here in Australia, value-adding to our product.

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