Live export: Six new public forums announced across regional WA for Labor’s phase out consultation

Live sheep trade stakeholders have been encouraged to provide a show of strength for the industry, while Federal Opposition politicians are labelling new public consultation forums announced for next week across the State as an “insult”.

Six additional public forums have been scheduled for live sheep trade stakeholders to meet with the Federal Government appointed independent panel for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.

The Federal Department of Agriculture published the new forum dates on its website with the independent panel returning to Perth and regional WA from Monday, June 19, to Friday, June 23, visiting Geraldton, Merredin, Kondinin, Lake Grace, Darkan and Perth.

Despite the week’s notice the Federal Opposition has called it an “insult” that the Government has again failed to properly advertise its consultation process, with Federal Durack MP Melissa Price “alarmed and dismayed” that these meetings had not been comprehensively advertised to farmers and the broader community.

“This is an insult and shows a blatant disregard to an industry that is worth $85 million and employs more than 3000 people in WA. Labor’s determination to shut down the live sheep trade is yet another anti-WA Albanese Government decision,” Ms Price said.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association Livestock Committee chair Chris Patmore said it was good that the panel had provided more notice than it did on previous occasions and that it was going to areas it had missed out on last time.

“They’ve learnt from past mistakes and provided more notice to farmers,” Mr Patmore said.

“Most of the arguments have already been put to the panel so I’m not sure what else they can gather this time around, but if we can get more crowds along it will emphasis the importance of the trade and the passion that WA farmers have for the issue.”

Corrigin farmer and Livestock Collective director Steven Bolt, who was angered by the 48 hours notice farmers had last time the panel came to WA, said it was good of the panel to travel to regions they missed out on previously, especially Geraldton as the phase out of the live sheep trade will also affect the cattle export trade from the southern rangelands.

“It’s important that we attend to explain what the phase out will mean to the industry and businesses,” Mr Bolt said.

Despite the busy time of the year both of them expected to attend at least one of the forums.

Public forums will occur starting on June 19 at Geraldton’s Multi-purpose Centre (10:00am-11:45am).

June 20: Merredin Cummins Theatre (12:00pm–1:45pm).

June 21: Kondinin Town Hall (10:00am–11:45am).

June 21: Lake Grace Sports Pavilion (3:00pm–4:45pm).

June 22: Darkan Town Hall (10:00am–11:45am).

June 23: Perth Technology Park, Bentley (11:00am–12:45pm).

Last month the panel held virtual public forums on May 12 and 15, which can still be viewed on the DAFF website.

The panel’s first visit to Perth was held in late March, with the second visit, a regional tour, from mid April.

More than 1000 people were estimated to have attended the regional forums, according to panel chair Phillip Glyde.

Once it has completed its consultation the panel is expected to provide advice on how and when the government will phase out live sheep exports by sea via a report to Agriculture Minister Murray Watt by September 30, 2023.