January 30, 2025
The Nationals have reaffirmed their commitment to reinstate the live sheep export trade under a future Coalition Government, after Labor finally appointed Dr Chris Rodwell for Australia’s highest paying, least wanted position as the live sheep export transition ‘advocate’.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said despite the role paying an enormous $1600 a day for up to 80 days, the position had proved difficult to fill, because no farmer wants the phase out of live sheep exports to proceed.
“The live sheep transition ‘advocate’ announcement is sad and insulting for the live sheep industry and for agriculture,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Farmers don’t want an ‘advocate’ or handouts, they just want to keep their industry.
“Everything about this process is wrong. We now know 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 turned its back on the farming industry and has treated our live sheep farmers with nothing but contempt. If elected, my first role as Agriculture Minister will be to travel to the Middle East and build those important trade relationships again, to reinstate the live sheep export trade.”
The Nationals’ candidate for Bullwinkel Mia Davies said the Department previously revealed that of the $139.7 million transition package, just $900,000 had been spent at the end of last year, but that amount had gone towards administration costs.
“Industry groups have recently stated they will no longer engage with the Albanese Government, citing concerns the Department isn’t genuinely listening to feedback,” Ms Davies said.
Keep the Sheep advocate and The Nationals’ Western Australia Senate candidate Paul Brown said it was doubtful the live sheep industry had any input into the transition advocate position.
“The industry refuses to give the idea of a transition advocate any credence,” Mr Brown said.
“Dr Rodwell is leaving the CSIRO to be a mouthpiece for Labor. Most of the funding is going towards the bureaucracy and paying for his expensive salary, not delivering to industry. Industry doesn’t want an advocate, it wants a repeal of the legislation."
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