Stop Live Exports Celebrates Mandate for Live Sheep Export Ban Implementation
Stop Live Exports welcomes the return of the Albanese Labor Government with a strengthened majority and says the election result is a decisive mandate from the Australian people to proceed with the legislated phase-out of live sheep exports by sea by May 1, 2028.
The not-for-profit animal welfare organisation has also extended its thanks to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, and long-time advocate Josh Wilson MP — who was re-elected to represent Fremantle — for their leadership in delivering and defending the ban, which represents one of the most significant animal welfare reforms in Australia’s history.
“Australians have spoken clearly. They want an end to the cruelty of live sheep export,” said Michelle Walters, President of Stop Live Exports.
“This victory gives the Albanese Government a clear mandate to honour the legislation and ensure a permanent end to this outdated trade.
“We congratulate the Albanese government on its victory and for listening to the science, the community, and ongoing animal welfare concerns to legislate this historic phase-out.”
The live sheep export trade is an industry in terminal decline, contributing less than 0.1% of Australia’s agricultural export value (forecasted at approx. $75 million for 2024-25¹) while inflicting immense suffering.
As highlighted in a recent industry review, the trade’s dismissal of onboard deaths is a stark reminder of why the community demanded change. In contrast, Australia’s chilled and frozen sheepmeat trade is a more humane, and high-value sector — worth over $4.6 billion².
“The facts have always been undeniable: the trade is cruel, economically insignificant, and opposed by the vast majority of Australians,” adds Michelle.
“With this mandate, the government can now focus on delivering a smooth transition and ensuring the $139.7 million support package⁴ provides practical help for farmers adapting to a more modern, welfare-focused future.”
Stop Live Exports is thankful to the thousands of compassionate Australians — including voters, volunteers and whistleblowers who have campaigned for decades on the issue of live export.
Stop Live Exports is a Western Australian based, community-led, non-profit organisation that advocates for the end of live animal exports from Australia. The organisation is run by a voluntary management committee comprised of individuals who are based across Australia.
Media contact: Ruth Gourley
Mobile – 0434 330 384
www.stopliveexports.org / www.keepthesheephere.com
Footnotes:
¹ Pasture.io, An Overview of Australia’s Sheep Industry: 2024 Edition, citing ABARES/DAFF forecasts. Available: https://pasture.io/beef-and-sheep/australias-sheep-industry-2024-overview Note: Value fluctuates annually but consistently represents <0.1% of total agricultural exports (See DAFF Trade Dashboard: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/trade/dashboard).
² Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Fast Facts 2023, showing sheepmeat exports valued at $4.6 billion in 2022. Available: https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/prices–markets/documents/trends–analysis/fast-facts–maps/mla_sheep-fast-facts-2023_300523.pdf
³ McCrindle Research poll commissioned by RSPCA Australia, May 2023. Results reported by RSPCA Australia. Available: https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/media-centre/breaking-news-more-7-10-western-australians-still-want-live-sheep-export-end/ and https://www.rspca.org.au/key-issues/live-sheep-export/
⁴ Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Phase out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea. Available: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/live-sheep-exports-by-sea-phase-out (Details the $139.7 million package).