Shadow Minister for Agriculture Lachlan Hunter MP has condemned the Premier’s failure to stand up for Western Australian farmers after revelations of a grossly inadequate federal compensation package linked to the Albanese Government’s devastating live sheep export ban.
Mr Hunter questioned the Premier in Parliament, demanding to know what actions had been taken to secure fair treatment for WA’s sheep farmers after news broke of a meagre $45.5 million federal support plan — described by industry as completely out of touch with the scale of the impact.
“The Premier’s response was lacklustre and evasive. Farmers needed to hear that he has their backs, yet instead, we got platitudes and no real plan. I asked directly whether he had demanded Prime Minister Albanese bin the ban — but there was no clear answer. The Premier is letting his federal Labor mates walk all over WA’s vital agricultural industry,” Mr Hunter said.
Leader of the Nationals WA Shane Love MLA echoed these concerns, slamming Labor’s betrayal of the bush.
“This isn’t just about money — it’s about the future of communities built on sheep farming. Labor’s live export ban is ideological and reckless, and this weak compensation offer is a slap in the face to regional WA,” Mr Love said.
“The Premier needs to stop sitting on his hands and start fighting for our farmers, who are facing a bleak future without urgent intervention.”
Mr Hunter also pressed the Premier on whether the WA Government would introduce its own support measures to safeguard the sustainability and resilience of sheep farming communities left exposed by Federal Labor’s destructive policy.
“Regional WA deserves leadership, not excuses,” Mr Hunter said.
The Opposition will continue to fight to ensure WA’s sheep farmers and regional communities receive the respect and support they deserve.
The only way to keep the sheep and end the ban on live sheep exports is to vote Labor out — and vote for your local Nationals WA candidates this Saturday, May 3
