Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Hansard source

So, as I say, the Nationals are being incredibly hypocritical on this point. While they were in office, the number of live sheep exported by sea fell by 80 per cent. And now that they're in opposition they're the biggest supporters of live sheep exports that you've ever seen. They had the opportunity to do something about this when they were in office—and they did do something about it: they sent this trade down by 80 per cent.

Some of their senators, in particular, stood up to that policy. We know that Senator Henderson, the former member for Corangamite, said in answer to this question: 'The time has come, backed by the science, the facts and the economics. This is an industry that must come to an end. The live export of sheep to the Middle East is inhumane and must come to an end— (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—