The federal government’s $32.7 million top-up of a fund to support farmers phasing out of the live sheep export industry has been lashed by political opponents.
The federal government’s $32.7 million top-up of a fund to support farmers phasing out of the live sheep export industry has been lashed by political opponents.
Agricultural Minister Julie Collins announced today that the government would increase its fund to support Western Australian sheep farmers following its decision earlier this year to scrap the practice.
The federal fund set aside to support the transition away from live export by May 2028 is now $139.7 million.
A total of $97.3 million of that will be used to help sheep producers adapt to the new laws, up from the initial offer of $64.6 million.
In her first move on live sheep export since taking the agriculture portfolio from Murray Watt in July’s cabinet reshuffle, Ms Collins said the move would help the industry transition to capitalise on other opportunities.
She highlighted growing opportunities in the sheep meat sector as key.
“We want WA sheep farmers and those associated with the industry to benefit from new markets and the ever-growing sheepmeat export opportunities before us,” Ms Collins said.
A co-design process will be run alongside the state government, which was vocal in its opposition to the live sheep export ban and has pushed for further financial support for farmers.
The governments will develop mechanisms for processing capacity grants, and community wellbeing support offerings.
The federal government will also invest $27 million in growing market demand, including exploration of development opportunities and promotion of products abroad.
Agriculture counsellors will be set up in Dubai and Riyadh, while Austrade will get $9 million to support promotion of the sheepmeat sector in the Middle East and North Africa.
Not all are happy with the plan.
WA Liberal candidate for the newly created electorate of Bullwinkel, Matt Moran, said the response showed the government undersold the task when it initially set up its farmer support program.
“It’s insulting to farmers and so many communities who rely on the trade to survive,” he said.
“Farmers are understandably livid about the proposed ban and they are worried about the devastating impact it will have on our rural communities.”
The Keep the Sheep campaign, which organised a rally at the steps of parliament in September to protest the new laws, used social media to blast the funding increase.
“This isn’t just about farming, it’s about our way of life,” it wrote.
“We’re farmers, shearers, truckies, local business owners, and young people starting out.
“We’re standing together against the ban because we don’t want handouts. We want to get on with the job.”
The value of the nation’s live sheep export has declined from $411 million in 2002-23 to $77 million last financial year, according to federal figures.
