Rex Patrick SA, Centre Alliance
4:57 pm
I move:
That—
(a) the Senate calls on the Federal Government to legislate to phase-out long-haul live sheep exports; and
(b) this resolution be communicated to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
A phase-out of the live export trade would have detrimental and long-lasting consequences for producers and their communities. A ban will cost farmers over $230 million and deliver around 3,200 job losses. It is for this reason that the government have taken decisive action to tighten controls over the live export trade. We have acted to ensure animal welfare and in recognition of the importance of the sector to Australian farmers and the food security needs of our trading partners. Our reforms, informed by the McCarthy and Moss reviews, are significant, extensive and improve animal welfare and oversight of the exporters by the regulator.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
The Senate has voted against live exports. The community is demanding an end to this cruel trade in misery—
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
and yet we see no action from this government. Do you know what? This is what you are allowing. This is the animal cruelty that you are abetting and aiding.
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation
That is not true.
Scott Ryan President
Senator Faruqi! This section of business relies on senators behaving and abiding by the rules. You know well displays of that nature are completely out of order. It is utterly and completely inappropriate, and leave can be denied by any senator if people are going to misbehave.
Scott Ryan President
Leave is granted for one minute. Senator Whish-Wilson, on a point of order.
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania, Australian Greens
Mr President, not only have we had interjections during this session but we have had senators who have been sitting out of their seats right next to my colleagues—literally three seats away—and interjecting in their ears while they're speaking. I think it is totally inappropriate. They shouldn't be interjecting in the first place, let alone outside their seats in close proximity to speakers.
Scott Ryan President
Quite right, Senator Whish-Wilson, and I can list the senators in this chamber who don't do that on one hand. I'm not fond of biblical quotations, but let they who are innocent cast the first stone.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party
Labor is supporting this motion and urges the government to allow the will of the parliament on this matter. If the government is confident that it has the numbers in the House of Representatives to defeat the motion, or indeed Labor's amendment to its penalty bill in the other place, it should put it to a vote rather than denying the will of the parliament and indeed the will of the Australian public, who expect their leaders to actually represent them in the people's house.