Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Sterle for his questions. I have returned from a visit to Jakarta, where I met with my counterparts, the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture and other Indonesian ministers. I was fortunate to have the opportunity not only to meet with ministers but also to provide them with a draft of standards for the cattle trade to Indonesia. These standards are a practical interpretation of the OIE guidelines. The Australian and Indonesian governments have agreed to use these as a base upon which the live animal export trade will be established and can continue for the longer term. This dialogue was fruitful and there was goodwill on both sides of the relationship.

I have said consistently that the live cattle trade will be able to resume once appropriate safeguards are in place. These safeguards will be able to ensure animal welfare outcomes and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the trade. Following my discussions this week, officials will continue to work with Indonesian officials to finalise the standards before joint verification occurs. I welcome the cooperation of the Indonesian government in this important task. We have made real progress towards reopening the trade and putting the industry on a long-term, sustainable footing but, as I indicated, it is not something that will happen overnight. I am encouraged by the goodwill on both sides to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. This goodwill to achieve a resumption of trade as soon as possible will be vital as we work through the details of the standard and the practical application. It will take a concerted effort from the Indonesian and Australian governments supported by industry, but this is something both countries are committed to working through to achieve an early resumption of the trade as soon as practicable. (Time expired)