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

I thank Senator Faruqi. Yes, I can confirm—and every time I go to Western Australia I'm asked that question as well, as I was last week when I was over there again. Our government does intend to keep its promises, including this one—that we will phase out the live sheep export trade.

You have cited some statistics. I know the RSPCA survey did indicate that over 70 per cent of Western Australians support the government's policy. In fact, today I understand the RSPCA has tabled a petition from about 40,000 Australians calling for this trade to be phased out. I know that in years gone by there have actually been members of the opposition who have supported the phase-out of live sheep exports. They are people like Ms Ley, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. Senator Henderson is on the record as having supported in the past the phase-out of live sheep exports. I can only assume Senator Henderson retains that position, given she was on the record saying it should be phased out. We have every intention of carrying out our policy.