CANBERRA, Australia—Over a thousand farmers gathered outside Parliament House on Sept. 10 in an ongoing protest against the federal government’s live sheep export ban—backed by the Greens—and other issues impacting regional communities.
Attendees carried signs that read, “Keep the Sheep,” “No Farmers, No Future, No Food,” and “You Can’t Eat Red Tape.”
Some points of contention with the Labor government include the 2028 planned phase-out of live sheep exports, the resumption of water buybacks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, increased biosecurity charges, increases to superannuation contributions, and the impact of energy development, particularly renewables.
Mark Harvey Sutton, CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, said they had appealed to the government.
“They think they know better, but really, what they’re doing is ignoring the voice of farmers. We’ve met everyone in the government—the agriculture minister, the prime minister—but no heed has been paid,” Sutton told The Epoch Times.
Ben Sutherland, spokesperson and leading figure of the “Keep the Sheep” campaign, told the crowd his campaign has received nearly 100,000 signatures and over $600,000 (US$400,500) in donations.
“Let’s just keep fighting for rural Australia, for our communities, our pubs, our schools, our sponsorships, our sporting groups, and everyone involved in rural Australia,” he said.
The move to ban live sheep exports gained momentum after a 2018 report by 60 Minutes showed hundreds of malnourished and dying sheep aboard the Awassi Express vessel en route to the Middle East.
Opposition, One Nation Joins Rally
The federal opposition backed the protest saying they would repeal the ban.“The first international trip I take will be to Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to show them the respect they deserve as our great international trading partners. We’ll give them the food security they need, with the best product in the world, coming from Western Australia,” Coalition Leader Peter Dutton told the crowd.
Dutton also pledged to work with farmers and criticised Labor for trying to win over progressive, inner-city voters amid its policy push.
“The government is listening to Green voters in inner cities like Sydney and Melbourne. That’s why you are being sold out, and that is not a feature of the Liberal and National Party Coalition,” Dutton pledged.
David Littleproud, shadow agriculture minister and leader of the National Party, also backed a repeal of the ban, and was queried about his position on water rights.
Labor Ministers Address Ban
Neither Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Agriculture Minister Julie Collins were present at the rally, an issue noted by attendees.Later in Parliament, Albanese said his government would give certainty to sheep producers during the phase-out.
“We’re investing $107 million to support a well-planned and responsible transition away from what is an already declining trade,” he said.
He also blamed the opposition for playing politics the issue, even after the law had been passed.
“Those opposite know that this trade will not resume, yet they are playing politics rather than delivering real outcomes.”
Meanwhile, Collins said she had engaged with farmers across the east coast of Australia since taking on the portfolio a month ago.
“I want to make sure that our farmers get the very best representation, as they did under former Minister Murray Watt, and I want to continue that important and vital work,” she said.
“The other thing I want to ensure is that farmers’ voices are heard in this place, and making sure that those opposite don’t get away with spreading misinformation about what’s going on in our regions and for our farmers.”
