LABOR candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker has urged the Coalition to match her party\u2019s pledge to end live sheep exports, and has launched a petition on the issue.<\/p>\n
Ms Coker said the petition was in response to a community outcry following the cruel treatment and death of thousands of sheep at sea.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Coalition does not support ending live sheep exports.<\/p>\n
Ms Coker said there was considerable interest in the electorate about live sheep exports. \u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019s position, and want it to be the federal government\u2019s position.\u201d<\/p>\n
She met with some supporters of Labor\u2019s position earlier this week, including Barrabool farmer Adrian Schonfelder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think live export is absolutely terrible, it\u2019s cruel, and it\u2019s money for misery, so I\u2019m glad that Libby\u2019s standing up for Labor Party policy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe report is a damning critique of this federal government\u2019s reckless administration of the regulation of the live export trade,\u201d Ms Coker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLabor will put an end to the cruelty. If elected, we will transition away from live sheep exports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Coker\u2019s petition follows Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson\u2019s statement of last week, which supported the Moss Review and its findings and also committed to \u201ccontinue to advocate with her Coalition colleagues\u201d to end live sheep exports within five years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LABOR candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker has urged the Coalition to match her party\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n