A powerful coalition of leading animal protection organisations, led by WA-based not-for-profit Stop Live Exports, has declared this federal election as a referendum on animal cruelty as live sheep exports emerge as a key issue.
The groups have unveiled a national campaign ‘Keep The Sheep Here,’ alongside a digital advertising and billboard blitz, and election discussion paper, to highlight the ongoing suffering of Australian sheep in the live export trade.
“The live sheep export trade is cruel, outdated and unnecessary, and it’s not supported by the overwhelming majority of fair-minded Australians, and that includes Western Australians,” Stop Live Exports WA spokesperson Ruth Gourley said.
“A reversal of the phase-out would cause outrage within the community and we’re going to make sure people across the country are fully aware of where all parties and candidates stand on this brutal and unnecessary trade.”
The national advertising campaign targets the electorates of Hasluck, Bullwinkel and Tangney in WA, Sturt in SA, Menzies and Casey in Victoria, Wentworth in NSW, and Ryan in Queensland, with plans to expand to other key locations as the election draws nearer.
Stop Live Exports is also releasing its election discussion paper aimed at dismantling myths that lobby groups are spreading to incite fear and resistance to the inevitable transition to sheepmeat exports—a more ethical and sustainable alternative.
“The trade is already on the way out, with or without the phase-out legislation, having shrunk by over 90 per cent in the past 20 years and hitting a record low of just 419,000 sheep in 2024. That’s a 34 per cent drop from the previous year,” Alliance for Animals’ policy director Dr Jed Goodfellow said.
“It’s time to focus on the significant value-adding opportunities that come with keeping the sheep here, processing them in Australian supply chains, by Australian workers, to Australian standards. This is the future and there’s a $139.7 million transition package on the table to help the industry secure it.”
