Massive Truck Convoy Protests Ban on Live Sheep Exports

A truck drives on a road in Albany, Western Australia, on April 19, 2024. (Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times)

A huge truck convoy has descended on Western Australian (WA) roads to protest the Labor government’s ban on live sheep exports.

More than 1,350 trucks registered to participate in the rally in Perth to send a message to the government about the proposed ban.

Large trucks with signs “keep the sheep” and “stand with our farmers” were seen on Perth highways on May 31, while onlookers displayed a banner with the words “we love farmers.”

This comes after the Labor Party introduced legislation to parliament on May 30 that will stop live sheep from being exported from Australia by sea from May 1, 2028.

Animal rights groups have pushed for the ban ever since footage emerged of sheep sick and dying on the Awassi Express on the way to the Middle East in 2017.

The industry never fully recovered with successive campaigns aimed at ending the practice.

The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 (pdf) amends the Export Control Act 2020 and will delegate sheep to the “permanently prohibited exports” list.

Shadow Assistant Trade Minister Rick Wilson joined WA Livestock and Rural Transporters Association vice president Ben Sutherland at the convoy.

“This grass roots movement is gaining momentum and getting overwhelming support in the city as well as the regions,” Mr. Wilson said.

Mr. Wilson seconded an urgent motion in the House of Representatives seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the decision on May 30.

“It’s an absolute disgrace, no consultation from the minister or any of the members of the Labor Party with Western Australian farmers,” he said in a video.

“They’ve made this unilateral announcement, and [it] is now in the parliament in the process of becoming law.”

WA Livestock and Rural Transporters Association vice president Ben Sutherland, a co-organiser of the rally, and Liberal MP Rick Wilson MP. (Supplied)

Petition Now Has 33,500 Signatures

A Keep the Sheep petition against the ban has received 33,500 signatures online at the time of publication.

“Our campaign is bigger than just politics, it’s about people’s lives and livelihoods,” the group said. “The sheep industry has been the backbone of rural towns for over a hundred years and will soon disappear.”

The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) CEO Mark  Harvey-Sutton also rode in the cab of a truck as part of the rally in Perth.

Mr. Harvey-Sutton said he was pleased to stand together with farmers uniting to have the “disastrous policy” reversed.

“We know that people across WA support farmers and truckies. We know that West Australians agree that the government destroying livelihoods during a cost of living crisis is unfair,” he said.

“We won’t stop fighting this ban and it will be an election issue for the Government in Western Australia and beyond.”

National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the prime minister, agriculture minister, and all parliamentarians need to take a “good look” and what unfolded in Perth.

“This is a grassroots farmer demonstration of historic proportions,” he said.

Mr. Jochinke said the convoy in Perth shows the governments have underestimated rural communities and their support for farmers, and voter intelligence.

“I think people in WA and across Australia will start to wake up to the grubby political deal that’s been done here,” he said.

“To those convoying today: farmers across Australia are with you. Your willingness to stand up and defend our sector is bloody legendary, and this is just the start.”

Explanation for the Live Sheep Ban

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the Australian sheep industry now has the time, support, and certainty it needs to plan effectively for the future

“We have put $107 million on the table to ensure those affected by the phase out are well-positioned and ready when the trade ends in May 2028,” he said.

“This is a policy that invests in the future of the Australian sheep industry.”

Mr. Watt added the government had promised the phase out would not take place in this term of Parliament, and setting an end date of May 1, 2028, fulfils that commitment.

“While live sheep export numbers have plummeted in the last 20 years, now contributing just 0.1 percent of all national agricultural exports, sheep meat exports are going through the roof.”

“Australia is now the largest exporter of sheep meat to the world, with nearly $4.5 billion in chilled and frozen sheep meat exported in 2022-23 alone.”

Mr. Watt was under pressure to investigate the live sheep ban further on May 30, with the Nationals and Liberal Party attempting to bring about an inquiry in the lower house of Parliament.

Following this, Minister Watt said “of course there will need to be” a Senate inquiry into the legislation on May 30.

In response, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Minister Watt had promised a Senate inquiry just “hours” after an inquiry into the same crucial issue was voted down in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Littleproud said a future Coalition government will “reinstate the live sheep export trade.”

WA National MLA Mia Davies also took part in the convoy, explaining she was heading to town to let everyone know Albanese needs to do the right thing by WA and “keep the sheep.”

In a post to X on May 31, Mr. Watt said Aussie meat exports have soared in just one year of our Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement.

Mr. Watt shared an image showing beef exports are up 429 percent to $51.8 million and sheep meat exports have risen 19 percent to $100.1 million.

“It’s delivering for Aussie farmers, workers, and consumers,” he said.