WA Senate candidate and “Keep the Sheep” campaigner Paul Brown warns voters that the May 3 election result could be a catalyst for the sustainability of the live export industry.
Brown is running for the Nationals Party and has been vocal in his opposition to the live sheep export ban implemented under Labor, which is to start in May 2028.
That ban was motivated, in part, by a 2018 report by 60 Minutes, which exposed the poor practices of one exporter.
Thousands of malnourished and dying sheep were found onboard the Awassi Express vessel, en route to the Middle East.
But Brown said Australia led the world in animal welfare processes.
“We are the only country that has legislated regulations put in place that ensure animal welfare from farms all the way through to the abattoir in a foreign country,” he told The Epoch Times.
“Foreign countries have to sign up to our ESCA [Escort Supply Chain Assurance] system, and accept our animal welfare standards in their own country.
Families Will be Put Out of Work if Ban Goes Ahead
The live sheep export industry has had to contend with the public relations fallout of the 60 Minutes report, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Animals (RSPCA) among the most vocal groups condemning the multi-million dollar trade.Brown said many families would be put out of work if the ban is allowed to continue, which is likely under a re-elected Labor government.
“How do you replace someone’s livelihood? You’ve got this paltry transition package that they’re supposed to make everything all right,” he said, in reference to the Albanese government’s transition assistance package of $139.7 million, noting that a shearer who has worked for decades in the industry will not be able to transition easily.
“[The package] provides individuals, communities and businesses with the opportunity to be resilient, well positioned and ready when the trade ends in 2028,” the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says on its website.
But Brown says that amount has to be shared.
“We know it’s not really $139 million; it’s about $60 million because $70 million is already going to government agencies, and paying for radio and print advertising,” he said.
“So we know there’s only about $60 million available supposedly for the industry.
“But it’s not going to producers. It was announced the other day that $40 million is going to the processing sector.
A Move to Appease Progressive Voters
An Econisis report published in May last year estimated that the economic impacts of a trade ban on WA’s Upper Great Southern Economy–a major live export hub–would range from $474.9 million to $791.5 million in present-value terms over 20 years.Brown said the Albanese government’s decision to ban the lucrative live sheep export trade was due to its close alignment with left-wing political groups such as the Greens and Animal Justice Party, who have actively campaigned for the practice to be outlawed.
“We know it’s the by-product of a dirty little deal done in the back rooms on the east coast for preference votes,” he claimed.
Brown said he had met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and was yet to hear from the Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.
Keep the Sheep Grassroots Support Strong
Hundreds of farmers and truckies attended the latest Keep the Sheep rally in March, moving through Perth’s major arterial roads.The group has garnered 23,000 followers on its Facebook page.
“There’s been a great response. The Nationals received a record number of votes at state level, both in the Lower House and Upper House,” Brown said regarding the recent state election.
“And we’re hoping that will travel across the divide into federal politics.”
