CORANGAMITE federal member Sarah Henderson has defended voting against a bill banning live sheep exports, calling the bill \u201cdisingenuous\u201d, but her stance has been criticised by both Labor and the Animal Justice Party (AJP).<\/p>\n
In May, Ms Henderson announced she would second a private member\u2019s bill from Liberal MP Sussan Ley to phase out the practice, contrary to Liberal policy on the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe live export of sheep to the Middle East is inhumane and must come to an end,\u201d Ms Henderson said at the time. Since then, both Ms Henderson and Ms Ley have been appointed as assistant ministers by new Prime Minister Scott Morrison, meaning they are not allowed to vote against government policy \u2013 such as Ms Ley\u2019s bill or the new bill phasing out live sheep exports within five years passed by Labor and the Greens in the Senate earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Explaining her decision not to cross the floor to support the new bill (which was eventually lost 72 votes to 70) in Parliament last week, Ms Henderson said \u201cmy personal conviction on this issue remains\u201d and Labor\u2019s attempt to bring on the motion \u201cwere a disingenuous attempt to disrupt parliament, masquerading behind the cause of animal welfare\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are suggesting that, had the vote been different in the House of Representatives, we would have had the bill as a reality. Now, that\u2019s not actually possible. Firstly, the motion was simply to debate the bill, not to pass it; and, secondly, all of the crossbench would have been required to support the bill and they don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker said Ms Henderson\u2019s \u201cinexcusable backflip shows that she has abandoned her principles\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a direct result, the cruel and inhumane live sheep trade will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott Morrison bought the Member for Corangamite\u2019s silence on this matter by giving her a spot in the assistant ministry and all the perks that come with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
AJP western regional leader Andy Meddick said Ms Henderson and Ms Ley were \u201ccompletely gutless\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know that (Ms Henderson) would have to quit her new appointment in order to cross the floor, but that is what the voters wanted her to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want their politicians to stand by their convictions, no matter the party line.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CORANGAMITE federal member Sarah Henderson has defended voting against a bill banning live sheep exports, calling the bill \u201cdisingenuous\u201d, but her stance has been criticised by both Labor and the Animal Justice Party (AJP). In May, Ms Henderson announced she would second a private member\u2019s bill from Liberal MP Sussan Ley to phase out the […]<\/p>\n