The Hon. Shane Love, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of The Nationals WA, Member for Moore (WA), Media Release, 19 March 2024
Premier Roger Cook has deserted farmers and shown his true intentions after admitting in Parliament last week to talks with Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to end the live sheep export industry.
Deputy Nationals WA Leader and Member for Roe Peter Rundle MLA asked the Premier in Question Time last week to explain why the Minister for Agriculture had been in secret talks with Canberra around a transition package for farmers.
“Instead of fighting for WA farmers and ensuring our $132 million live export industry continues, the Premier confirmed the State Government has been meeting with the Federal Government around plans to shut down the industry.
“Members of the Labor Party also denigrated Parliament, making loud animal noises when questioned about their support for live export until they were chastened by the Speaker,” Mr Rundle said.
“It was an absolutely disgraceful response from the Premier and further proof that the Cook Labor Government is no friend to our live export sector or our primary producers.”
Mr Rundle called on the Premier to sack the Minister for Agriculture for her failure to stand up to Canberra and support live export.
“The Minister refused to stand up and demand the Prime Minister meet with representatives from the live export sector during his recent visit to WA, and the Minister was also silent during the MV Bahijah debacle,” Mr Rundle said.
Candidate for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter said WA farmers deserved better than an arrogant and dismissive Labor Government.
“I attended several of the live export forums around regional WA in recent weeks, and farmers are frustrated by the lack of support they have received from the Cook Labor Government,” Mr Hunter said.
“The decision to close down the live export trade threatens hundreds of jobs in WA, and will have disastrous flow on effects to our sheep and wool industry, and potentially to our cattle exports as well.”
Mr Hunter also called on the Federal Government to release its Independent Panel Report into the phasing out of live sheep, which was completed in 2023.
“It’s becoming more and more obvious that Labor doesn’t want to release it’s so called scientific and economic evidence behind closing the live export trade because it simply doesn’t exist.”
