Deputy Leader of the Opposition and The Nationals WA Peter Rundle is encouraging attendees at the Wagin Woolorama to urgently sign a petition to help save the State’s crucial live export industry from being wound up by Labor.
Mr Rundle said The Nationals WA had shown their support of the live export industry by launching a petition calling on the Federal Government to back science and overturn its ideological opposition to this animal welfare focussed, job-creating industry.
“The live sheep export industry is crucial to our nation’s economy, underpinning regional communities across WA and accounting for 97 per cent of national sheep exports,” Mr Rundle said.
“It is devastating for the over 3,000 people who are employed in the live sheep export supply chain to have the new Ag Minister and the Premier roll over to the ideological whims of the Albanese Labor Government.
“I encourage anyone in attendance at the Wagin Woolorama to sign the petition to show their support for the live export industry.”
Mr Rundle said the duplicity of the McGowan Labor Government was a disappointing display of their failure to back the industry to their federal counterparts.
“Despite its promises, the McGowan Labor Government failed to support the industry and WA producers and simply rolled over and accepted Federal Labors’ decision without any meaningful attempt to halt the transition,” he said.
“The Premier has failed to stand up for WA farmers, regional communities and the entire supply chain and now we see the Premier and his Minister allowing the Albanese Government to trample all over them.”
Shadow Agriculture and Food Minister Colin de Grussa said West Australians can show their support for the industry by signing the petition.
“The live cattle industry will undoubtedly be the next target, as Labor ploughs through with its plans to decimate the live sheep trade,” Mr de Grussa said.
“Western Australia provides 97 per cent of our nation’s live sheep exports and our local industry has world-leading animal welfare standards which will only decline if the WA trade is shut down, leaving sheep worse off both here and abroad.
“I encourage all West Australians to sign the petition to send the Albanese Government a message and show support for West Australian jobs and communities.”
