Six months on, Labor keeps live sheep report secret

Labor continues to hide behind a veil of secrecy and silence, while keeping farmers in the
dark, six months after receiving an Independent Panel Report into the consequences of
phasing out the live sheep export trade.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor should be ashamed for refusing to
release details of the 230-page report due to Cabinet-in-Confidence.
Mr Littleproud said farmers deserved transparency, after a $5.6 million live sheep export
phase out panel travelled around Western Australia but failed to properly consult with the
industry.
“I am incredibly disappointed that Labor sees fit to remain secretive about phasing out the
live sheep export trade,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This week marks six months since the report was handed down. If Agriculture Minister
Murray Watt is so confident in his decision to phase out the industry, why won’t he release
details of the report? Labor is destroying the livelihoods of more than 3000 people who
work in the trade and an industry worth $85 million.
“Minister Watt didn’t have the courage to travel with the panel and look farmers in the eye
himself to say he was stopping the trade – now he doesn’t even have the courage to release
the report.
“We now know Minister Watt made decisions without being given proper modelling or
details into the impact of banning live sheep exports and without evidence. This is an
industry that has already lost confidence, with sheep prices plummeting, which is affecting
the mental wellbeing of WA farmers. Farmers are broken over this decision – it is also
having an enormous emotional impact on thousands of people.
“If Minister Watt is so confident in his decision and the science behind it, details about the
Independent Panel Report must be released. A future Coalition government with The
Nationals will ensure the live sheep export trade is saved. Unlike Labor, The Nationals
support Australian farmers and their exports.”