Live export issue an unfolding crisis: Coulton
05-July-2011
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton addressed Parliament last night opposing a motion put forward by the Greens Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt to stop all live animal exports.
Mr Coulton spoke of his condemnation of the Government’s response to the significant welfare issue that were uncovered in Indonesia. He acknowledged the initial response by the Government to restrict the abattoirs where our cattle are slaughtered was reasonable, however highlighted that the complete stop to live exports to Indonesia was ill-conceived.
“In the last few weeks we have seen the folly of this legislation and the effect it has had on the cattle industry in Northern Australia.”
“The initial response from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig, was appropriate to ban trade with the abattoirs that were not up to scratch.”
Mr Coulton said the Government’s decision to stop all live trade to Indonesia is destroying the industry and causing uncertainty and distress for cattle producers in northern Australia. He also criticised the Green’s Adam Bandt for continuing with this motion to ban all live export, pointing to the unfolding the crisis that is currently taking place in northern Australia.
“I would have thought the honourable thing for the member for Melbourne to do would have been to withdraw this motion when he saw what devastation had been created because of the ill-conceived and ill-timed way the situation was handled.”
“We are way past ever having a win-win situation on this. We are way past not having some sort of permanent effect. The truth of the matter is that the cattle that are leaving Australia now will not be killed for three months. That is ample time to sort out the issue with where they will be killed at the other end.”
“These are store cattle that have a limited window in which to be mustered, put on a boat and sent to Indonesia. A short break is not possible; the whole season has gone. Those cattle will not be suitable next year, so where are they going to go? Where are they going to end up?”
“I can tell you that it is burning red hot in the electorate of Parkes. People cannot believe that a government could be so incompetent.”