Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I understand the opposition's interest in this. While abattoirs are a key link in the supply chain, they are not the only part. What is important is to be able to ascertain that animals are being handled well throughout the process and that the exporters have certainty about where the animals they export are being slaughtered. It is important not to focus on, as the opposition is, on the specific abattoirs but on the entire supply chain, including ensuring animals can be traced from ship to feedlot to abattoir. There is a clear need for transparency and independent auditing in respect of that supply chain.