Farmers have been filmed walking out of Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watts’ post-budget speech in Canberra following his recent announcement on banning live sheep exports.
Senator Matt Canavan shared a video to social media platform X, showing a number of farmers walking out of the room on May 15.
“The biggest allocation of new spending on agriculture in the budget was to shut down a whole agricultural industry,” Mr. Canavan wrote.
A plan under the Albanese government would mean the live export of sheep would stop by 2028.
A total spend of $107 million (US$71.1 million) has been allocated in Tuesday night’s budget to help farmers transition away from the practice of live export.
The National Farmers Federation spoke to media outside the event and explained why they were opposed to the ban which they labelled “catastrophic.”
“We don’t want your money, we want the trade,” National Farmers’ David Jochinke said at a media conference shortly after the walk-out.
Wool Producers Australia CEO Jo Hall said the government was “out of touch” with sheep and wool producers.
“We are just starting this fight, we will not give up and to those in Western Australia, we’ve got your back,” she said.
New South Wales Farmers Association president Xavier Martin said farmers across the nation were already suffering from overseas bans and now had to face one from within the nation.
“This decision is a catastrophic decision right across the rural landscape of the nation that is just recovering from a decision by the Chinese Communist Party to ban barley and rye grains and other agricultural goods,” he said during the address.
“We now have an Australian Labor party banning sheep exports. It’s just a catastrophic decision for farmers. Keep the sheep.”
Sheep Producers Australia Chair Andrew Spencer issued a statement saying the government had walked out on them first.
“Today Sheep Producers Australia walked out on the current agricultural minister’s budget speech with our fellow agricultural bodies to send a message that we and our producers have been treated with complete contempt,” he said.
“The four-year timeline and the minimal investment committed to transitioning our industry away from live export speaks volumes—our agricultural minister has walked out on us—he has walked out on our industry.”
Federal Member for Capricornia in Queensland, Michelle Landry joined a chorus of politicians opposing the move, taking to social media in support of farmers, saying ideological policies were to blame.
“I proudly stand with the sheep industry who were dealt a blow in last night’s budget,” she wrote.
“Labor’s kiss of death will see live sheep export cease, with $107 million in the budget to go towards phasing out the export of this commodity by 2028.
Minister Says Industry Is in Decline, Has Bright Future
Mr. Watt released the government’s plan to ban the live export of sheep on Saturday, saying the industry had been in decline for years, while demand for processed meat was increasing.“We are giving certainty to sheep producers and the supply chain by legislating the date and putting $107 million on the table to enable an orderly and well-planned transition away from the trade,” he said in a statement.
“This is a comprehensive package that will assist to strengthen supply chains, develop market opportunities, and improve animal welfare.
“With the Australian sheep meat sector booming, our sheep industry has a bright future.”
Animal advocacy groups cite extreme heat on vessels, exhaustion, rough seas, and poor ventilation on transport as concerns.
