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Labor hazy on timing live export phase-out

Maeve BannisterAAP
Anthony Albanese says Labor would not put a timeline on its plan to phase-out live exports.
Camera IconAnthony Albanese says Labor would not put a timeline on its plan to phase-out live exports. Credit: AAP

Live sheep exports would be banned by a federal Labor government but the party will not confirm a time frame for its plan.

Labor’s deputy leader Richard Marles tried to clear up confusion over the policy, saying the opposition would work with the industry on its future.

“This is an industry that has been in decline now for 20 years, we will work with the industry and we will work with the West Australian government about its future,” he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

But Anthony Albanese said the opposition would not put a timeline on when Labor would phase out live exports.

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“The amount of live exports has halved in recent times and we’ll continue the summer ban,” he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

“We will consult with state governments, in particular the Western Australian state government, but we’ll also consult with the agricultural sector about about the issues around live sheep exports.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said his government had put safeguards in place to keep the trade operating.

“We put in place rules that required a suspension of exports over the northern summer because of the shocking outcomes that were occurring, particularly in the summer months, up in the Persian Gulf,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“And then there was additional vet checks and additional monitoring put in place on some of the ships. I think those measures are effective and I think they’re appropriate.”

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