Question Time

Live Sheep Export

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of sheep producers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: An economic study was conducted in 2023 to provide key facts regarding the economic contribution of the live sheep trade nationally. It noted the trade to be worth $143 million per annum. It also noted that if the trade were to cease, the value of Merino wethers would drop instantly by 19 per cent, and by 33 per cent per head in the period of high turn-off. Importantly, the economic study noted that import countries are most likely to import live sheep from alternative countries, rather than directly replace live Australian sheep with processed Australian sheep meat.

In response to the federal Albanese government's ban on live sheep exports, Livestock SA President, Joe Keynes, said that the ill-informed policy will have serious implications for South Australian farmers. He said, 'Taking away the WA live export market will see sheep trucked over the border to compete in our markets,' and that, 'The impacts flow right through the industry, with SA studs also potentially losing out on important buyers.'

The minister in this chamber yesterday, in response to a question I asked regarding live sheep exports and whether she would side with South Australian sheep producers and condemn the Albanese government's ban, said, 'The South Australian government and myself as minister are neither supporting nor opposing the federal government's decision.' My question to the minister is: does she support South Australian sheep producers, and will she now stand with Livestock SA in condemning the federal government's decision to ban live sheep exports?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:22): I thank the member for her question which is so similar to so many other questions that she has asked this week. The ban on live sheep exports is a federal matter, as I said earlier in the week. The federal Labor Party went to the last two elections with it as part of their policy platform. They have now indicated the dates on which—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —it will be banned, and that is what the federal government has decided. There are a range of impacts on sheep prices, and there are a range of reasons for that.