Premier Roger Cook has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to apologise for rubbing salt into the wounds of the agricultural sector, after a joke about live export angered stakeholders.
Premier Roger Cook has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to apologise for rubbing salt into the wounds of the agricultural sector, after a joke about live export angered stakeholders.
In reference to a meal served as part of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards in Canberra yesterday, Mr Albanese made light of government’s live export ban and cast doubt on the future of live cattle export – telling the audience that the beef on their plate was “not the live export” and that the government had “made sure it was dead”.
The comments angered a sector still reeling from the live export ban imposed on producers earlier this year, the vast majority of which is located in WA.
Addressing the comments this morning, Premier Roger Cook – who was against the export ban – invited the PM to apologise.
“We’ve all had jokes that have fallen flat, me included, but this is a joke which would have particularly touched a raw nerve in Western Australia, as farmers are coping with the Commonwealth’s decision to end live sheep exports,” he said.
“The Prime Minister should take the opportunity to apologise to WA farmers and clarify the Commonwealth’s position.
“I wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to say in relation to that, but it seemed to be moving towards the issue around live animal exports, with regards to the cattle industry as well.
“I invite the Prime Minister to make an apology, but also clarify the Commonwealth’s position in relation to this.”
Mr Cook said his government was working with the federal government to secure additional support for the state’s live export sector.
“I back WA farmers,” he said.
“We want to see farmers supported, not only through our transition project package that’s been announced, but through extra measures, and [Agriculture and Food] Minister [Jackie] Jarvis is working with the Commonwealth government on those measures at the moment.”
A ban on live sheep exports was passed in July, and will come into effect in 2028. WA accounts for 99.6 per cent of the $77 million sector nationally.
A $107 million support package has been rolled out for affected industry participants.
Agriculture minister Murray Watt threw fuel on the fire in July when he labelled the amount “a lot of money to put on the table to support an industry that has been in decline for 20 years”.
The state is pushing for more support.
It expects the ban to result in a $123 million loss, and cost around 400 jobs.
