The Hon Sussan Ley MP
Federal Member for Farrer
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories

The Hon Sarah Henderson MP
Federal Member for Corangamite
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

Labor’s actions today were a disingenuous attempt to disrupt Parliament masquerading behind the cause of animal welfare.

The Private Member’s Bill to phase out long haul live sheep export that we introduced on 21 May 2018 is currently being debated in the House of Representatives.

As members of the ministry, it is no longer open to us to support any Private Member’s Bill or the Bill passed by the Senate today.

Combined with the advocacy from so many thousands of Australians, we are pleased that our strong stand so far and the Minister for Agriculture’s determination to hold the regulator to account has resulted in the shutting down of the industry’s biggest offender.

The impending release of the Moss Review provides the government with a further opportunity to impose tough new rules relating to live exports.

Our personal conviction on this issue remains and we will continue to advocate for a change in Coalition policy and for a phase out of this awful trade.

10 September 2018