Coker launches petition on live sheep exports

LABOR candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker has urged the Coalition to match her party’s pledge to end live sheep exports, and has launched a petition on the issue.

Ms Coker said the petition was in response to a community outcry following the cruel treatment and death of thousands of sheep at sea.

The ALP has committed, if it forms government, to immediately halt the live sheep export summer trade to the Middle East, and to phase out the balance of the live sheep export business.

The Coalition does not support ending live sheep exports.

Ms Coker said there was considerable interest in the electorate about live sheep exports. “I’ve had many, many calls and conversations with people who have said they are totally opposed to live sheep exports, and are very pleased with Labor’s position, and want it to be the federal government’s position.”

She met with some supporters of Labor’s position earlier this week, including Barrabool farmer Adrian Schonfelder.

“I think live export is absolutely terrible, it’s cruel, and it’s money for misery, so I’m glad that Libby’s standing up for Labor Party policy,” he said.

The highly critical findings of the Moss Review into the regulatory capability and culture of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in the regulation of live animal exports were released earlier this month.

“The report is a damning critique of this federal government’s reckless administration of the regulation of the live export trade,” Ms Coker said.

“Labor will put an end to the cruelty. If elected, we will transition away from live sheep exports.”

Ms Coker’s petition follows Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson’s statement of last week, which supported the Moss Review and its findings and also committed to “continue to advocate with her Coalition colleagues” to end live sheep exports within five years.