Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The decision was handed down only last week, and we have 28 days to consider that decision. Given the importance of this decision and given that it is a very considerable issue, we will be taking our time. The decision that was made was a terrible decision; there is no question about that. The effect that it had on the live export industry was absolutely enormous and unwarranted. Damage was done not just to the industry but to many other people, industries and communities that rely on it. But, as the Attorney-General said on the radio this morning, the government has a responsibility to ask questions about some of the legal principles that have been made by this quite unique decision. As the A-G noted, one of the questions he is considering is whether or not the lowering of the bar in this decision could actually be weaponised by animal activists against decisions which support the live animal export industry. I'm sure everyone on this side of the chamber would agree that this is a critically important question to answer correctly. The government is proceeding with the live export industry with our farmers front of mind.