Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety) Share this | Hansard source

Labor will support government amendments (1) and (2). Labor supports these amendments as they essentially clarify what the assistant minister alluded to in his speech when he stated:

The Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports Bill 2019 will provide greater assurance in the regulation of live animal exports and broader animal welfare issues.

As I put on the record during the general debate, the bill is a step in the right direction to rebuild confidence, change the culture and ensure another layer of independent assurance over the regulation of Australia's live exports. The current interim inspector-general, Mr Ross Carter, was appointed in March 2019 and has already published his three-year work plan, which demonstrates that he will consider animal welfare as part of his broad remit. The current work program includes reviews into: monitoring and reporting during livestock export voyages; livestock export licensing and permits; the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System; Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock; response to external inquiries, reports, complaints, allegations and incidents; managing risk; approved arrangements; regulatory culture, regulatory capability, skills, resources and technology; and interaction and interface with state and territory animal welfare regulation.

Labor reiterates its disappointment that it has taken this third-term coalition government more than six years to re-establish the inspector-general position, but we look forward to the inspector-general's recommendations as to how the overall regulatory system can be improved. On that, we recommend the bill to the Senate.