'Hoax': report backing live sheep export ban savaged

Australian Livestock Exporters' Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the committee's inquiry was a complete waste of time with a foregone conclusion.

The consultation effort was purely tokenistic, he said.

"The fact that it only took four working days, effectively, for people to be able to put submissions in, that's inadequate," Mr Harvey-Sutton told AAP.

"The fact they've rushed two hearings through and only had one week to write their report (shows) this is not a rigorous investigation of this legislation. 

"The entire agricultural community is opposed to this ban."

Farmers say a $107 million transition package for live sheep exporters is nowhere near enough. (Trevor Collens/AAP PHOTOS)

The report, which called for federal parliament to pass legislation despite concern from farmers and the opposition, ignored evidence from agricultural groups, Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

The process was a sham and should be referred urgently for a senate inquiry, he said.

"(Exporters and producers) are so steadfast in their opposition to this policy, and the overwhelming message that I've been hearing here in Western Australia is that this policy will be fought," Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

In the report, the committee urged the government to work closely alongside the West Australian government to develop a transition support package for those in the industry who would be affected by the ban.

A package of $107 million to help the transition had already been announced by the government.

Mr Harvey-Sutton said the $107 million was "one of the most disrespectful governmental deliverables" he had seen when weighed against the industry's need.

Peak farming body the National Farmers' Federation also slammed the report, with acting chief executive Charlie Thomas declaring it a "hoax" designed to sideline farmers' concerns. 

No flies on what farmers think of today's report on the live sheep phase out released by the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee.— National Farmers' Federation (@NationalFarmers) Read more ➡️ https://t.co/NxO2y8ATDC pic.twitter.com/PUfBiNjTCSJune 21, 2024

"We're talking about cancelling an industry. Cancelling people's jobs and livelihoods," he said.

"To rubber stamp the suffering this ban will cause with just two public hearings and four business days for submissions is shocking."

Thousands of submissions to the inquiry were not processed and the government should make good on its commitment to hold a senate inquiry into the live sheep export ban, Mr Thomas said.

"This report is nothing but a political hit and run on the hard-working people whose livelihoods are at stake," he said.

The committee's chair, Labor MP Meryl Swanson, said on Friday while there was opposition to the ban, a prohibition on live exports was overdue.

The transitions would not be without pain, but the outcome would give industry long-term certainty in line with the community's expectations, Ms Swanson said.

The federal opposition has vowed to overturn the ban should it win the next election.