Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has criticised the Albanese Government’s Farm Business Transition package as being delayed, insulting, and harmful to the live sheep export trade in Western Australia.
Speaking at the Perth Royal Show, Mr Littleproud said Labor’s Farm Business Transition Grant, which is supposed to have funding of up to $75,000, is still not even open.
“Labor is spruiking a grant farmers can still not even apply for,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The best Labor can do is open the ‘guidelines’ on October 7, despite the fact our farmers having been hurting for over two years.
“The Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program of $1.5 million also isn’t open until October 7 and then closing on December 1.
“Labor continues to treat our farmers and professionals in the industry with contempt, in an assistance package that is too late. Farmers don’t want to have to transition – they want to continue their trade.”
CEO of Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA Jan Cooper said not only has farmer confidence plummeted, but pessimism has also taken hold in many rural businesses.
“Our members operate businesses on low profit margins in the vicinity of 2 to 3 per cent,” Ms Cooper said.
“The ban on live sheep export will result in a loss of between 30 to 40 per cent of transporters’ turnover, putting their viability in jeopardy, as this activity will not be substituted by other work.
“The suggestion that businesses will have four years to transition is misguided as the impact is being felt now.”
WA Farmers Livestock Council president Geoff Pearson said the sheep industry has never accepted the ban.
“No amount of money will ever compensate the industry,” Mr Pearson said.
“Eligibility to accessing the grants it too onerous, costly and tough. We doubt this transition package will even hit the ground in WA – in the meantime, Labor is asking producers to dip into their own pockets. Every producer that has been forced out of the industry should not be, and so the best way of compensation is to let the industry thrive.”
Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love described Labor’s ‘transition program’ grants as meaningless.
“Labor is trying to sugarcoat the destruction of a proud, world-class industry with token grants that will do little to support farmers, truckies, shearers and small businesses who rely on live exports,” Mr Love said.
“All Labor is able to do is repeat that the industry will end on May 1, 2028, without offering any credible plan to support the thousands of people whose livelihoods and communities depend on it.”
Figures show the WA sheep flock is in decline, from 12.5 million to 9.4 million during the past three years. The total farmgate value in the 2023-24 financial year for sheep was $362 compared to $558 million in 2022-23.
