MEDIA RELEASE - 6 February 2018

Brazil suspends live export trade – Australia should follow

Responding to the Brazil Federal Court’s decision to suspend live exports for animal welfare reasons, Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said this is a significant development and a further reminder that modern economies should not profiteer from the suffering of animals.

“The Brazil decision on live exports puts the Australian government to shame,” Senator Rhiannon said.

MEDIA RELEASE - 25 January 2018

Call for Eastern Grey kangaroo shoot to be cancelled, replace with translocation

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called on Bush Heritage to cancel their plans to shoot 500 Eastern Grey kangaroos on one of their restoration properties outside Canberra and prioritise dealing with the recognised threats and threatening processes to the threatened species on the property.

On Wednesday 29 November, Senator Darren Hinch moved the following motion in the Senate, on behalf of Senators Lee Rhiannon and Lisa Sing. 

Senator HINCH (Victoria) (15:55): I, and also on behalf of Senators Singh and Rhiannon, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 7.30 recently aired footage of hens having their feet torn off and being boiled alive at the Star Poultry Supply slaughterhouse in the suburb of Keysborough, Victoria, in early 2017,

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has moved to shut down federal loopholes that allow Australian greyhounds to be exported to Macau for racing at the infamous Canidrome club in China. 

"I am seeking advice on what regulations or law changes are needed to close the loophole that allows greyhounds to be exported,” Senator Rhiannon said. 

“We have to end this cruel trade.

“If the Turnbull government fails to act to close the existing loophole, the Greens will consider moving a Private Members Bill to end the trade in greyhounds. 

On Tuesday, 24 October 2017 Lee asked questions of Walter Merriman, Chair of Australian Wool Innovation as part of Senate Estimates hearings on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 

Australian Wool Innovation and Mulesing

Senator RHIANNON: Mr Merriman, does any current or past member of the AWI board, or their family or associates, have, or did they have, financial interests in the sale of Tri-Solfen or any other anaesthetics used in muesli?

On Monday, 23 October 2017 Lee asked the following questions in Senate Estimates of Paul Murphy, Assistant Secretary, Wildlife Trade and Biosecurity Branch and Sebastian Lang, Acting Threatened Species Commissioner, as part of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

Wildlife diplomacy & Platypus exports by Taronga Zoo