Make a submission to support the Bill to end live sheep exports by sea.

UPDATE 12.6.2024 – Submissions have now closed. Thank you for using your voice for sheep and letting the Committee know most Australians want to see this trade finally end. If you’d like to take further action for sheep while the remainder of the Inquiry process is underway, here’s what you can do now.

Help ensure that the victims of live export – the sheep – are kept front of mind during this Parliamentary Inquiry process. There are only a few days to speak up on their behalf and support the Bill to end the cruel trade.

After decades of our investigations, exposés, and tireless political lobbying, the Albanese government announced that live sheep export by sea will end on 1 May 2028. Now, the legislation has been introduced, and is expected to be debated and voted on in July.

Over the coming days, submissions are being accepted as part of this government process. As is to be expected, the live export industry is fighting back against the phase-out, and trying to shift the focus away from the animals who pay the ultimate price.

It is imperative that the unavoidable suffering of sheep who are exported alive remains the focus during this stage of the process. By making a submission to the Inquiry into Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024, you can help ensure the sheep, and the views of most caring Australians, are represented.

In this guide you will find:

• Simple steps on how to make your submission for sheep
• Points you may wish to include in your submission

Submissions close this coming Tuesday the 11th of June.

• If you are happy for your name and/or document to be published on the inquiry webpage, you can head straight to the form below to make a submission now. You can also email your submission directly to: Agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au

• If you would like to request confidentiality of your name and/or document, you can do so through the government submissions portal:
  • For this option, you’ll need to type up and save your submission letter on your computer (using a program like Word or Pages).
  • Then, head to the government inquiry page: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Agriculture/LiveSheepExportsBill
    • If this is your first time submitting online to an inquiry you will need to create a My Parliament login.
    • If you have a user account with the parliament you can log into that account.
  • Click the ‘Upload submission’ button on the right.
  • The inquiry ‘Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024’ should already be selected, click ‘Next’ at the bottom of the page.
  • On the page titled ‘Make a submission’, point (1) should include the inquiry name ‘Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024’. For (2), select ‘personal’ or ‘organisation’ and complete the requested details.
  • Point (3) is where you can select your preferred level of confidentiality.
  • Point (4) is where you can attach your document.
  • Hit the ‘Submit’ button.

If you would like help to make your submission please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Supporter Services team on 03 9329 6333 or email enquiries@animalsaustralia.org

Your submission does not need to be lengthy or technical. You may use the following points to guide your submission if you wish. Please rewrite points in your own words as personalised submissions will be much more powerful for sheep.

• Share your personal view about the live export of sheep by sea.
• Make it clear that you support the government’s Bill to phase out live sheep exports.
• The phase-out of live sheep export delivers on a government commitment supported by the majority of Australians. 
• Australian export laws should reflect the values of the Australian community. Over 78% of Australians support an end to the export of live sheep to the Middle East.
• The generous financial assistance package being provided to farmers affected by the phase-out is supported.
• This policy to end the trade is based on decades of evidence that live sheep export is inherently cruel.
• Contrary to industry claims, the trade has not been “fixed.” Independent Observer data confirms sheep continue to suffer prolonged heat stress on voyages to the Middle East.
• Sheep suffer at every stage of the journey, at sea and in importing countries where they face fully conscious slaughter.
• You may like to mention that when this trade started, there was a very different understanding of animal sentience. The live trade does not accord with community expectations for how animals should be treated today.
• The industry needs to move with the times to create a more humane and sustainable future that respects animal welfare and protects Australia’s international reputation.

Above are the faces of just some of millions of animals who have suffered at the hands of this ruthless industry. Live exporters have operated for too long behind a PR shield of ‘influencing better animal welfare standards’ globally, when investigation after investigation has reinforced that Australia’s live export industry has instead entrenched and normalised animal cruelty by supplying animals regardless of how they were being treated.

Every caring Australian who has rallied in the streets, lobbied decision-makers, or been a voice for these animals has brought us to this point in ending the trade. Because of you, we are so close to getting this over the line.

Thank you for making your submission and lending your voice to sheep.