Thousands of farmers, truck drivers and rural residents travelled to the centre of Perth, WA, on Friday to demonstrate the opposition to the government’s live sheep ban.
The convoy reportedly stretched over 20km and involved more than 1,700 vehicles and 3000 people.
Speaking from the rally, truckie Ben Sutherland said it was an overwhelming success and showed the depth of support that everyone affected by the ban had from everyday West Australians.
“The rally showed us how much people support us. We had beeps and waves from hundreds of drivers and pedestrians as well as a great response on social media,” Mr Sutherland said.
“So many people have taken time out of their days because they all know how harmful a ban will be. We hope that people will support us through the rest of the campaign as it continues."
With legislation introduced into Parliament last week, the Keep the Sheep team, which lead the protest, said there was no time to waste and called on people across Perth to consider the Government’s motives for shutting down the industry.
“We know there are activists that will call for cattle exports, chemicals and other farming practices to be banned next and they won’t stop there. We’re saying to people of Perth – will the Government come for your job next?”
By Monday morning, the Keep the Sheep petition had been signed by more than 35,000 people.
Industry supports protest
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council Chief Executive Officer, Mark Harvey-Sutton, rode in the cab of a truck as part of the rally and said that the mood on the ground in Western Australia reflected the dismay in the policy.
“I am pleased to be here, standing together with farmers and uniting to have this disastrous policy reversed,” he said on Friday.
“We know that people across WA support farmers and truckies. We know that West Australians agree that the Government destroying livelihoods during a cost of living crisis is unfair.
“We won’t stop fighting this ban and it will be an election issue for the government in WA and beyond.”
National Farmers Federation President David Jochinke thanked the protest’s organisers for their leadership.
“To those convoying today: farmers across Australia are with you. Your willingness to stand up and defend our sector is bloody legendary, and this is just the start,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Frustration at this government’s rotten decisions has started to boil over.
“This latest call on live sheep exports has lit a fire under the industry and brought people together like you wouldn’t believe.
“The Government has sold out regular people in WA for a handful of east coast votes.”
Government responds
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, who appeared on Insiders with David Speers on Sunday, has remained steadfast in his messaging after the rally.
When asked if the sheep live-ex industry had fixed its problems from seven years ago, Senator Watt said: “I don't think that they have done enough to meet community standards, and I think the community's been very clear about this industry.”
“I mean we need to understand that live sheep exports by sea has been an industry in decline for about 20 years under both sides of politics.”
When pressed by Speers that the industry disagreed it was in decline, Senator Watt highlighted mortality figures on boats as an enduring problem that had not been solved.
"I think if you look at the mortality figures, they are still significantly higher than live cattle exports, which is one of the reasons the Government doesn't support banning live cattle exports,” he said,
The minister was also pressed on if he would offer a better support package.
“We're now offering over $100 million in taxpayer funding to help this industry rebuild itself towards more onshore processing,” Senator Watt said.
“And that's it?” Speers said.
"Yeah, I mean that's the offer that's there, and we think that that will go a long way, and as I say, I think that that's why we don't need to despair about the sheep industry in general. It will have a different future, but it will have a strong future,” replied Senator Watt.
'Keep the Sheep' campaign rally: Photo Gallery
Pictures: Australian Livestock Exporters Council.
