Federal Election 2025: David Littleproud vows first act to restore live sheep export

The Federal Nationals’ first acts in Government will be to resurrect the live sheep export trade and restore Australia’s international agricultural standing, David Littleproud will vow in an Easter campaign stop in WA.

The dual commitment — to make the first law repealing the ban and his inaugural trip as Agriculture Minister to the Middle East — comes as the sheep export issue dominates key seats in WA.

Mr Littleproud said the promise was aimed at giving WA sheep farmers, who are heavily impacted by Labor’s 2028 ban on export, certainty, with compensation not flowing until next financial year.

“The very first Bill I will introduce if I become Agriculture Minister is to reinstate the live sheep export trade,” Mr Littleproud said.

“On top of that, the very first trip I will make as Agriculture Minister will be to travel to the Middle East, to build those important relationships and ensure the live sheep export trade in Australia remains.

“Labor’s transition package for farmers won’t see the light of day until the next financial year and well after the Federal election. We know our farmers want to keep their industry, not lose it with an insulting and delayed transition package.”

The Nationals are hopeful the issue will give them the edge in the new seat of Bullwinkel, where former State leader Mia Davies is contesting the seat, as well as the Senate, where Paul Brown is running.

Amid projections the Albanese Government could be forced to negotiate with the Greens in a hung parliament, Mr Littleproud accused Labor putting other export trades ant risk, including cattle.

“Labor is bowing down to animal activists, even though Australia has the world’s best animal welfare standards.

“It is senseless to remove ourselves from the market, because the Middle East will simply find other markets which don’t have our high animal welfare standards.

“Farmers now know Labor is willing to sell them out and shut down a successful, world-class trade based on ideology. No amount of reform matters to Labor.”

Labor has argued it took the commitment to end the export trade to two elections.

“The Australian people have endorsed us as a Federal Labor Party to carry out that export ban and that is what we’re doing with the transition process,” senior WA minister Madeleine King said on Tuesday.

“What we know is that the chilled lamb export industry is growing and growing and growing, and there are many opportunities for farmers in that industry to capitalise on that, and that’s what we’re concentrating on.”

Brookton farmer Ellen Walker said live sheep farmers need certainty amid an “horrendous” few years with low prices.

“We need help to bounce back and have the confidence to invest in livestock and infrastructure,” Ms Walker said.

“We also need investment along the supply chain, so we can be protected if this happens again. At the moment, whether it’s on the farm or the supply chain, no one has been able to justify spending because there is no certainty in the market.

“It would be fabulous and a relief to have the live sheep export trade reinstated.”

Western Australia Shearing Industry Association executive officer Valerie Pretzel said the ban was set to a have a flow on effect hitting shearers, wool handlers and shed hands.

“Shearing teams are often the largest employer in our regional towns,” Ms Pretzel said.

“When they leave it affects local stores, sporting teams and community volunteers and families leaving reduces school numbers.

“We tried to tell the government, we warned them this would happen and now we are seeing it play out. For the good of agriculture, regional WA and the state, this ban must be overturned.”