Liberal and Nationals candidates for the newly formed Bullwinkel electorate turned out at a farmers rally in Canberra today, as live sheep export rhetoric ramps up in the new seat.
Liberal and Nationals candidates for the newly formed Bullwinkel electorate turned out at a farmers rally in Canberra today, as live sheep export rhetoric ramps up in the new seat.
Liberal candidate Matt Moran and Nationals candidate Mia Davies both attended the rally in Canberra today, with the focus primarily on the live sheep trade ban which will impact Western Australia.
The National Farmer Rally called on the federal government to stop what the Nats have deemed to be an “anti-farming agenda”.
The live sheep ban, which has become something of a political football, was seized on by members of the Liberal Party and the Nats in the lead up to state and federal elections in 2025.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pledged to overturn the ban in a speech to the crowd, flanked by senior representatives and party candidates from Western Australia.
Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel, Matt Moran, told Business News the party was attending in support of WA farmers.
“As the Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel, I am backing our farmers as they battle to keep our live sheep export industry,” he said.
“I’m here to ensure their voices are heard.”
Mr Moran’s candidacy in Bullwinkel pits him against former WA Nationals leader and current state parliamentarian Ms Davies, who put her hand up to run in Bullwinkel earlier in the year.
Ms Davies also attended the rally, posting on social media that “if the PM won’t meet the ag sector here has thrown on the bus here in WA, we’ll go to him.”
Labor, which introduced the phase-out plan earlier this year, has put forward Shire of Mundaring deputy president Trish Cook in the Bullwinkel ballot.
Bullwinkel candidate Matt Moran and Peter Dutton at the rally in Canberra today.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins were called out for failing to attend by federal Nationals leader David Littleproud in a statement following the event.
Mr Albanese did not attend the rally, but he did meet with NFF president David Jochinke and chief executive Tony Mahar behind closed doors this morning.
Mr Jochinke told the crowd the pair made it clear in that meeting that the sector did not support the decision to ban live sheep export.
“We made it very clear we would not roll over on this issue, that we support [live sheep export],” he said.
“We understand they have different opinions, but they are not our opinions.”
The rally attracted more than 2,000 farmers and agricultural supporters and was preceded by a convoy of around 40 trucks and farm vehicles – according to the National Farmers Federation, which organised the event.
A petition of almost 1,500 signatures has been compiled by the National Farmers Federation in support of aggrieved farmers.
Labor Party plans to phase out live sheep export from 2028 without the support of the WA branch of the party.
Premier Roger Cook was non-committal when asked today whether he supported Mr Littleproud and Mr Dutton in calling for a repeal of the ban.
"Look, that's a decision for them," he said.
"We're focused at the moment on assisting WA farmers to deal with the laws as they currently exist."
Mr Cook leveled blame at federal deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who he accused of kicking off discussion on the live sheep export ban.
