Live sheep exports will be banned from May 2028, raising the ire of farmers who say their businesses will be ruined and regional towns will die. Last-minute lobbying by West Australian farmers and exporters was not enough to have the legislation blocked, with the bill passing the Senate late on Monday night. It will mean an end to live sheep exports on May 1, 2028, with a $107 million transition package to flow to affected farmers.
“This legislation has been a long time coming for our members and their two-million-plus supporters who have been calling for an end to this cruel and unnecessary trade for decades,” Goodfellow said. But the coalition has vowed to overturn the legislation if re-elected. Labor had “once again treated farmers with contempt” by ignoring pleas to save live sheep exports, Nationals leader David Littleproud said, and live cattle shipments could be next.