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, Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud said.
He said the Albanese Government 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,” he said.
“This week marks six months since the report was handed down. If [Federal] 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.”
Mr Littleproud said if Senator 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,” he said.