live sheep exports

The Opposition has slammed the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments over their deeply flawed $139 million live sheep phase-out package - calling it a political stunt dressed up as support, with no meaningful industry consultation and not a single dollar in new funding.

The latest Sheep Producers Intentions Survey (SPIS), conducted by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), reveals a significant shift in producer sentiment and flock management strategies across the nation. This shift is being driven by volatile market conditions, extreme weather events, and regulatory changes, most notably the planned phase-out of live sheep exports.

Omika Upadhayay. India, the world’s most overlooked economic success story, is on the cusp of a transformation that could have profound implications for Western Australia’s sheep industry.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor can’t be trusted on its hollow promise to deliver a food security plan, after treating the sector with contempt, with new taxes, soaring energy prices, and a crippling Industrial Relations (IR) and workforce agenda. Mr Littleproud said Labor had ignored calls from industries across the supply chain for almost three years for a security and resilience plan, to get food from paddock to plate.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said live sheep export farmers have been dealt another insulting blow by the Albanese Labor Government, amid revelations $2.3 million of the budget allocated to phase out live sheep exports has gone to a global media company for advertising.

In his latest attempt to channel Australia’s wealth into government-approved projects, Chalmers announced plans to steer the Future Fund toward housing and renewables, claiming these priorities will secure both national prosperity and a moral high ground. But if the Treasurer is serious about backing industries with real potential, it’s time to herd the Future Fund into the sheep yards of Western Australia, where $200 million could establish a state-of-the-art abattoir to breathe life into a sector gasping under the weight of Canberra’s policy redirection.  

Live sheep export farmers being forced to shut down their crucial trade will not be given even one cent of support until after the next election. Labor has told Senate Estimates today its ‘transition package’ for farmers won’t roll out until July, 2025, despite farmers starting to change production cycles now and significant reduction in sheep prices from Labor’s decision.

Sophie Baldwin. 'No farmers, no food’ was the battle cry as farmers from across the country descended on Federation Mall in Canberra on Tuesday, united in a desire to send a clear message to the Federal Government. Australian farmers have had enough of poor government policy and appeasing the green vote impacting on their ability to feed the nation – and the world.

Today more than 2,000 farmers and their supporters stood on the lawns in front of Parliament House in Canberra to send a powerful message to the people who determine the policies that impact farmers’ livelihoods. They told them, farmers do not feel like they're being listened to, that their voices are being drowned out by activists with anti-farming agendas ... "there is a very simple thing we have to say: No farmers, no food": David Jochinke, NFF President.