Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

A phase-out of the live export trade would have detrimental and long-lasting consequences for producers and their communities. A ban will cost farmers over $230 million and deliver around 3,200 job losses. It is for this reason that the government have taken decisive action to tighten controls over the live export trade. We have acted to ensure animal welfare and in recognition of the importance of the sector to Australian farmers and the food security needs of our trading partners. Our reforms, informed by the McCarthy and Moss reviews, are significant, extensive and improve animal welfare and oversight of the exporters by the regulator.