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

I reject some of the underlying assertions by Senator Back in that question. I will deal broadly with what the government has done. It has sought to suspend trade so that we can get this industry back up as quickly as possible for the longer term. What the opposition failed to do when they were in government is address how you ensure, through the supply chain, that you continue to meet animal welfare outcomes.

In the interim, we do recognise the impact on local producers in those regions. That is why, to deal with the short term, the government has put together a package which includes three parts. The first is to encourage industry to deal with the onshore supply chain, with a $5 million package for food and watering of cattle, for agistment purposes and for transport. The second, of course, is the income assistance. The third is the $30 million package to provide immediate hardship assistance. (Time expired)