Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

We have already seen firsthand the devastating impact of poor government decision making, and also those who seek to constantly attack the industry, allegedly on the basis of animal welfare. Can I simply highlight that Australia is the only one of more than 100 countries that export live animals that requires World Organisation for Animal Health welfare standards to be met as a minimum for exported livestock. We are the only country. We are leaders in this area. If anybody is concerned about animal welfare, they should be cheering on the Australian industry, which those opposite closed down. I do accept that they closed it down on the basis of the agreement that they had with the Australian Greens at the time, and I note in fact that today is the fourth anniversary of that signing.