Live exports were banned for a short time in 2011 following the ABC's Four Corners exposure of the cruel trade that brutally exploits animals. The Gillard Labor Government was forced to stop the trade and set up an inquiry as public outrage and concern was so strong. However the live export trade resumed.
The recommendations from the Senate Inquiry into Animal Welfare Standards, released in November 2011, did not go far enough. In 2012 the government introduced a new Export Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS)to better regulate animal welfare, but it has failed and further proof of cruel, distressing treatment of exported animals continues to emerge.
The Australian Greens will keep working with animal welfare activists to push for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning in Australia and a ban on live exports. We want to see improved and increased processing in Australia to support local producers and jobs. Processing animals in Australia protects them from inhumane treatment and ensures our laws and standards regarding animal welfare can be upheld.
Lee Rhiannon is the Greens’ animal rights spokesperson. Together with her Greens colleagues, Lee is working hard towards a live export ban. We need your support!
- Read the position paper identifying five key issues the government must address to provide a more economically robust and humane alternative to the live exports trade
- Read about the Greens' legislation to ban live exports
- Read a speech Lee gave in the senate following the Bahrain sheep stranding incident in September 2012
- Encourage your friends to sign our petition to end live animal exports
- Write to your local media outlet saying you support the Greens’ bill to ban live exports
- Ask Lee a question or request to receive regular email updates on the live export campaign by emailing senator.rhiannon@aph.gov.au
- See Lee’s postcard campaign
- Browse Lee’s work in parliament and the media below
