Live export: Bridget McKenzie unloads on Labor as timeline for $139.7 million transition package revealed

Sheep farmers won’t see a cent of the government’s live exports transition package until July next year at the earliest, federal officials have revealed. Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie criticised the timeline, warning the financial toll of the looming industry ban was already being felt. “People are shooting sheep now,” Senator McKenzie said. The Federal Government has committed $139.7 million to manage the shutdown of the live export trade in May 2028, including support to help producers pivot to the booming sheep meat market. The package — which received an extra $32.7 million last month — includes $45.5 million directly for farmers and workers in the supply chain, such as truck drivers. Under questioning at Senate estimates on Tuesday, Agriculture Department official Andrew McDonald said that funding was expected to start next financial year after the specific programs and guidelines were developed in consultation with industry. Directing her response at Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm, Senator McKenzie said sheep farmers shouldn’t have to wait that long for help. “You’d think … that if you were going to shut down the live sheep trade and cruel not only the farmers in WA, the regional communities and indeed our trading partners ... but in none of the design of shutting it down did you think about getting support front-loaded. “How is this good enough, minister?” Senator Chisholm, who represented Agriculture Minister Julie Collins at the hearing, pointed out the industry was still open until 2028 as he defended the rollout of the support package. “I think that we are taking a proactive approach,” he said. “I know that the minister has been over there (WA) and consulted, as is appropriate. “The department are doing thorough work at the same time. “That is what you expect of a Government that operates in a sensible way and always wants to get these policy settings correct so they have an impact and support the people who need it.” Senator McKenzie wasn’t satisfied with the response, telling Senator Chisholm farmers were already shooting sheep in anticipation of the ban. “The economic impact is being felt now,” she said. Officials told the hearing that just $900,000 had been spent from the wider $139.7 million transition package - all on administrative costs. However, applications for a share in $4.4 million worth of grants to help build the industry’s understanding of new sheep market opportunities will open on Friday. The program is targeted at peak industry bodies, researchers and consultants specialising in agriculture, economics or trade, rather than farmers themselves. Despite its opposition to the federal-imposed industry shutdown, the WA Government has agreed to administer key parts of the transition package, including a grant program for on-shore processing and community wellbeing program.