Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Six years ago I supported a bill by the member for Farrer, and it had a similar aim to this bill, the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024. The member for Farrer's bill was introduced in May 2018 following the shocking 60 Minutes report that highlighted the atrocities experienced by some sheep on long-haul routes. The 60 Minutes report was deeply upsetting and caused many people to question the activities of live sheep exporters. The footage of sheep dying from heat stress and overcrowding on board the vessel Awassi Express, operated by Perth based company Emanuel Exports, was a turning point in the national discourse. I then introduced my own bill in 2019 and on subsequent occasions have taken the opportunity to call on the government to act. Finally, six years later, we now have a plan to exit the live sheep export trade.

As a member of a regional electorate I understand the importance of the agriculture industry, and I also understand and respect the care taken by farmers and the supply chain in dealing with live animals. The response taken by the sector following the 2018 report resulted in a dramatic improvement in long-haul mortality rates; I think we need to acknowledge that—very much so. The industry, as far as sheep and ships go, has changed significantly since that 60 Minutes report. However, one thing that hasn't changed is the experience of some of those sheep once they arrive at their destination. It's at that point we lose all control of the animal welfare of our Australian sheep, and that deeply concerns me and many people in my community. Therefore, I feel this bill is the only appropriate measure we can take.

There will be a transition in the industry, but I think it's fair to say much of this has already occurred. In 2011-12 the value of live exports was around $600 million. Ten years later this had fallen to $200 million. Much of this was displaced by sheepmeat export, which rose to more than 60 per cent of export value in the 2021-22 year. That's a good news story. We want to be processing more in Australia, value-adding in Australia, in many cases, whether they're cyrovaced or frozen and those carcasses are exported.

The government has allocated $107 million over five years to support the transition through assistance to individuals, businesses and communities affected by the phase-out of live sheep. I've got to say that that is a very low amount. It is simply not going to be enough money if we are serious about making sure that those farmers, those communities, those truck drivers and those shearers are supported, and about building the capacity of processing in the region. So I urge the government to look at that figure of $107 million, to sit down with the relevant stakeholders in the community and to sharpen the pencil, because that is not going to be enough to transition. It simply won't be enough. We need significant investment in food manufacturing that adds value to the products. That means more jobs in Australia and well paying jobs in our community. We need that investment in our regions, close to where the agricultural production occurs.

I will say it again: $107 million is a very small amount to invest in this sector, which is going to go through a very significant transition over the next five years. As I said, this bill does put a timeline in with respect to the export practice that has dominated discussions for several years, but it does not put an end to the livelihoods of sheep farmers. We need to make sure that it's a just transition, that they feel very well supported and that we see other avenues. We need to make sure we're not just saying, 'Let's explore new markets.' We need to do better than that.

In closing, I do support the bill, but I think the government's transition package needs to be looked at very carefully and in partnership with those that will be affected, because we need to make sure that those rural and regional communities have the ability to thrive.

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