How Animals Australia will make live export an election issue

Animals Australia has appealed for financial support to help fund its latest campaign to stop live sheep exports.

The live export of sheep is set to become an election issue as Animals Australia targets eight key federal marginal seats with billboards.

And the animal rights lobby is pleading for donations to fund more major advertising in another six seats to keep it at the fore of voters’ minds.

Animals Australia said its national campaign had been launched in electorates “where there is strong public and political interest in the live sheep export phase-out”.

“We have at least six more seats on our wishlist,” a Facebook post said.

“So anything you can give will help amplify our message for animals in the most hotly-contested electorates this federal election.

“Help us send the strongest possible message that Australian sheep have suffered enough, and that keeping this cruel trade alive is not a vote winner.”

The Facebook post from Animals Australia which features the 20m billboard which aims to prompt voters to consider the live sheep export ban as an issue when voiting.

The campaign will be seen in the WA electorates of Hasluck and Tangney in Perth, as well as the newly formed, notionally Labor electorate of Bullwinkel, being contested by former WA Nationals leader Mia Davies.

Billboards are also in the marginal Liberal seats of Sturt, in Adelaide, and Casey, in Melbourne’s outer east; the independent-held Wentworth in NSW; and the Greens marginal seat of Ryan in Queensland. Other electorates may also be included closer to the election.

A spokeswoman for Animals Australia said in compliance with Australian Electoral Commission obligations, the campaign was backed through funds raised in Australia.

“We already know most Australians support the phase-out, including over 70 per cent in Western Australia, so our hope with this campaign is to encourage people to talk to their candidates of all political persuasions about why this issue is important to them,” she said.

She declined to disclose how much the campaign cost but said most of the advertising was on digital billboards “so literally hundreds of locations in WA, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland”.

“The digital advertising locations cover roadside billboards, signage in malls, shopping centres and convenience outlets as well as petrol stations where we are running video billboards,” the spokesman said.

“We have two static billboards in WA as well as a truck billboard (mobile advertisement) launching soon in WA.”

Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the “ban live exports” campaign could not compare or compete with Keep the Sheep, which he said had 110,000 people supporters.

“Australians are sick of policy being driven by extreme activists,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

“People in WA are literally losing their livelihoods right now because of the Albanese Government’s egregious live sheep ban and activist groups such as Animals Australia are showing through this campaign simply do not care.”

Mr Harvey-Sutton said running outdated images of cruelty by animal welfare groups encouraged donations.

“The fact they are so willing to seek to mislead the Australian public speaks to their dishonesty and I think most Aussies will see it for what it is,” he said.

“Our Australian farmers deserve the support of the community.”