WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis accused of ‘throwing in the towel’ on live exports

WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis has been accused of “throwing in the towel” and failing to stand up for the State’s live sheep export industry after claiming she had “pushed the issue” as far as possible with the Federal Government. Ms Jarvis made the comments at a grains industry conference in Perth on Tuesday, saying Federal and State Labor would “have to agree to disagree” on the Albanese Government’s plan to shut down the trade. WA shadow agriculture minister Colin de Grussa seized on her remarks, saying Ms Jarvis had “thrown in the towel” and “completely failed to advocate in good faith” for the industry she represents. With a timeframe for the ban yet to be announced, Mr de Grussa also demanded Ms Jarvis release documents regarding the phase out which he claimed she had access to. “The Minister needs to be upfront with farmers and industry and immediately release the transition documents or timelines she has been privy to, so the industry knows exactly where it stands and how to best prepare for the future,” he said. “Either the minister has completely dropped the ball in negotiating with her federal counterparts or she hasn’t tried.” Ms Jarvis declined to respond to Mr de Grussa’s comments, but issued a statement to Countryman saying she and Premier Mark McGowan had been “consistent and clear” that current measures regulating the trade were “sufficient”. “We need more certainty from the Federal Government on what a transition plan might look like and I will continue to fight for the best possible outcome for our sheep industry in WA,” she said. Ms Jarvis — who has repeatedly pledged her support for the trade — told reporters in Brookton last Friday she was “not sure how much more vocal I can be” to her Federal colleagues. “Day one on the job I gave my commitment to fight for the sector and to support the live export sector,” she said. “The reality is the Federal Government manage the export approvals, and the Albanese Government have a mandate they took to the Federal Election. “I am not sure how much more we can do, but to keep pushing for a comprehensive transition plan.” Ms Jarvis said she discussed the issue face-to-face with Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt during a “long car ride” from Kwinana to Perth during Senator Watt’s visit to WA late last month. “We have had a few challenges over live export… and on some subjects, we will agree to disagree, but I am looking forward to a good relationship,” she said. “I don’t want the live export issue to overshadow the great things we can do together.” Mr de Grussa said Ms Jarvis’ “strong expressions of support” for the live sheep trade were “disingenuous” at best, accusing her of being “rolled” by the Albanese Government and failing to “put up any meaningful fight for a predominantly WA industry”. “The question now is what other industries will this minister fail to stand up for? Will live cattle be next?” Mr de Grussa said. Australian Live Exporters’ Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said Ms Jarvis had been “very clear in her support of the industry” and urged her not to admit defeat. He said Ms Jarvis acknowledged the industry had reformed and WA’s sheep producers were “counting on her to take that argument forward”. “I think the message that industry collectively needs to send to Minister Jarvis is that we have your back in taking this to Canberra,” Mr Harvey-Sutton told Countryman. “She’s already indicated she’s taken the fight to Canberra. Minister, we are very happy for you to continue to do so, and we will be supporting you every step of the way. “It’s definitely not a done deal.” The leaders of 25 of Australia’s peak farming organisations — including Mr Harvey-Sutton — this week sent a joint letter to Senator Watt pledging never to engage in government discussions about shutting down the live sheep trade. Last week, WA deputy opposition leader Peter Rundle launched a petition in parliament calling for the continuation and support of the industry.