Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

I start by thanking all members who have contributed to this debate on the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 and the spirit in which you've contributed. I know this is an issue where passions run high and that is understandable given we are talking about—while it's declining—the livelihoods of many of our regional farmers. The member for Hasluck represents some rural communities as well and I thank her for her contribution. There are those of us who live in regional communities. In my own constituency I have live sheep exporters. That has been declining—not so much over in the West—so we are acutely aware of the decisions we are taking here, and I thank honourable members for the spirit in which the debate has been conducted.

This bill does deliver on a commitment to phase out live sheep exports by sea that this government made to the Australian people at the last election and in fact the election before that. This legislation does provide the certainty to farmers and the community that they have been calling for. The bill does prohibit the export of sheep by sea from Australia on and after 1 May 2028 and facilitates the rollout of the government's $107 million transition support package to allow the industry to adjust in the meantime. This assistance will support farmers and supply chain to make transition plans with confidence while capitalising on opportunities for more value-adding and local jobs right here in Australia. Phasing out of this trade marks a considerable step forward for sheep welfare and paves the way for farmers to further leverage the $4.5 billion sheepmeat export market and the $3.5 billion domestic sheepmeat industry.

The bill has been subject to parliamentary inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, and I thank everyone who participated in the inquiry and committee for its consideration of this bill. The House inquiry built upon the extensive consultation already undertaken by the independent panel in which over 2,000 individuals were consulted, nearly 100 stakeholder meetings were held and more than 800 submissions were received. I note the committee heard evidence that the government's policy would create between 500 and 800 direct jobs in meat processing with many more indirect jobs to flow. The standing committee released its advisory report on 21 June and recommended that the bill be passed. The government welcomes that recommendation.

The committee also recommended the government consider making additional funding available to support the transition potentially through the 2026 stocktake and continue to seek opportunities to work with the Western Australian government to refine and implement the transition support package. The government acknowledges these recommendations.

We are committed to supporting sheep producers and the sheep supply chain through the transition period. The government's transition plan includes appointing a transition advocate in 2024-25 and undertaking a stocktake of transition progress in 2026-27. These are key elements in monitoring the transition away from the trade and will help inform the government as to whether further funding is needed to assist the transition.

The government recognises the importance of local knowledge and connections when delivering support to individuals, businesses and communities in regional areas. The government would welcome the Western Australian government's partnership in delivering support to Western Australian sheep industry and supply chain participants. We will continue to look for ways to complement WA government efforts that help position affected individuals, businesses and communities for success up to and beyond the phase-out.

From the outset, we're committed to ensuring a planned and orderly transition away from the trade. The government's transition plan sees implementation based on: independent advice; the provision of certainty, time and support for the transition; ongoing management of and measures to enhance sheep welfare; and transition oversight and continued engagement with domestic stakeholders and our trading partners. We're providing certainty and time for adjustment through setting the end date for the trade and enacting this date in legislation through this bill. This is a level of certainty many have been calling for and allows four years for the planning and decisions to be made by those impacted by the phase-out, appropriate to their individual circumstances.

If this bill is not passed, uncertainty will continue for sheep producers, sheep supply chain businesses and exporters of live sheep by sea. We need to ensure that those affected by this phase-out have the opportunity to be well positioned, resilient and ready when the trade ends on 1 May 2028. I commend the bill to the House.

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