David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. In the past 12 months, sheep prices across the nation have plummeted by up to 70 per cent. Industry confidence has collapsed and farmers are being forced to the wall as a result of the government's announcement about shutting down the live sheep export industry. Did the government undertake any economic modelling on the impact of banning live sheep exports—

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! There's far too much noise on my right. I'm going to ask the Leader of the Nationals to state that question again. The member for Fremantle will cease interjecting. I want to make it clear at the beginning of question time this week that no-one is to interject during a question. The Leader of the Nationals has the call.

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, in the past 12 months, sheep prices across the nation have plummeted by up to 70 per cent. Industry confidence has collapsed and farmers are being forced to the wall as a result of the government's announcement about shutting down the live sheep export industry. Did the government undertake any economic modelling on the impact of banning live sheep exports before announcing the shutdown?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The contradiction in the Leader of the National Party's question is that he's saying that a foreshadowed policy, that hasn't happened, has had this massive impact. Because it's not about—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will pause. I made it clear to the House that the Leader of the Nationals would be heard in silence, and I gave him a good go by giving him a second reading of the question. I'd ask that the courtesy be respected for the Prime Minister.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Price, of course, doesn't go to investment—it's about the future. What we have done is to say that we will respond to this in a considered and an orderly way. We appointed a four-person independent panel to consult the farmers, communities and supply chain participants—to do all of this, to inform when and how this policy could be implemented. That's why we've very clearly not put a date on when the phase-out will occur. We've said we'll consult with industry in the interests of a strong and sustainable future for the Australian sheep, wool and sheepmeat industry. One of the things that we've been doing as well, it must be said, is negotiating with our trading nations, in order to open up our exports further.