Libs break ranks, call for end to live exports

A damning review into live animal exports and the government’s regulation of the trade has revived Coalition divisions.

Liberal frontbencher Sussan Ley wants a phase-out of live sheep exports. Picture: AAP

A damning review into live animal exports and the government’s regulation of the trade has revived divisions in the Coalition, sparking fresh calls from Liberal frontbenchers Sussan Ley and Sarah Henderson for a five-year phase-out of long-haul live sheep exports.

The Morrison government will re-establish an animal welfare unit abolished by Barnaby Joyce, and introduce an inspector-general of live animal exports as it attempts to “reset the industry” six months after footage emerged of thousands of sheep dying on board the Awassi Express.

The independent review by forme­r law-enforcement integri­ty commissioner Philip Moss of the Department of Agriculture’s cultu­re and regulatory capability of live animal exports found the department had “failed to prevent continuing animal welfare incid­ents”, while parts of the industry “failed to adhere to the existing standards and give priority to ­animal welfare”.

Departmental staff who used to work in the live animal exports branch anonymously made a submission to the review revealing that, at times, mortality report­s were “revised or redrafted to dilute or expunge findings which adverse­ly reflected on the regulatory framework”.

In a joint statement, Ms Ley and Ms Henderson said it was “abundantly clear” exporters and the department had “fallen well short of the public’s expectation of humane animal welfare standards and practices”.

“For too many years exporters have knowingly based their business on animal cruelty and an in­efficient or inept overview of their operations — that business model is now dead,” they said.

“We will continue to advocate with our Coalition colleagues for a five-year phase-out of long-haul live sheep exports — the Moss review­ further proves why support for this ban continues to build in every corner of the country.”

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the government had accepted all 31 recommend­ations of the 84-page report, includin­g restoring an animal welfar­e branch in the department that was axed by the Abbott government in 2013, when Mr Joyce was responsible for the portfolio.

“The world wants live sheep and anyone who says they don’t is ignorant or naive,” Mr Littleproud said, directly contradicting his Liber­al colleagues.

“I said in April I was determined to clean this industry up and make it sustainable, because so many farm families and rural towns rely on it … The live export industry needs a tough cop on the beat and the department must become a capable, trusted and effective regulator.”

Opposition agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon declared the review highlighted Mr Joyce’s “wrecking ball” approach to the regulatory process and blamed the former agriculture minister for the Awassi Express incident in 2017, which prompted the review.

Mr Joyce dismissed Mr Fitzgibbon’s attack but said restoring the animal welfare unit was “well and good” if it helped sustain the industry.

“I’ve been informed by industry we have in excess of 99 per cent (of sheep) that go into boats and come off boats in the same or better condition. The idea these are all voyages of complete animal cruelty is wrong,” he said.

“There are instances where there are issues that need to be fixed but it’s very select footage of some very exceptional circumstances that has been portrayed to the general public.”

The review also recommended the department introduce “full inspecti­ons” of consignments on a random unannounced basis, enabl­e government-accredited vets and independent observers to contact the department at all times, and that the department work with the states and other stakeholders to improve animal welfare outcomes in the industry.

Groups including the RSPCA and Animals Australia said there was no justification for live animal exports being allowed to continue.