Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Abetz for his continued interest in the live animal export trade. Can I say that the government supports the industry and its trade, and that is why we acted to put it on a footing. Self-regulation had failed in that industry to be able to ensure animal welfare. What the government did was to put in place a regulatory framework that meant the exporters had control right through to ensure animal welfare outcomes.

In terms of the contingent liability, that is an issue that has been raised in the budget. It is a matter for the Treasury to deal with. It is in the budget papers as a contingent liability. My advice today is that matters raising legal issues should be dealt with separately from me; and therefore I have said consistently that I will not comment on those matters. If it is a Treasury question then it should properly go to the Treasury portfolio. If it is an issue around legal advice then, as I have said continuously through this issue, it is an issue that I have said that I will not comment specifically on. They are matters that people can agitate, and it is not for me to question it.

In terms of the broader issue around live animal exports, this government remains committed to it. We have done the right thing to ensure animal welfare is taken into account right throughout the control of the animal welfare. What that means is that, unlike the opposition, who for the 10 years they had the trade going—they have the MV Cormo, they had a range of reviews into the matter—and did nothing about it, continuing to allow animal welfare issues to remain unaddressed— (Time expired)