Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for animal welfare, has reacted to the release of all 8015 pages of the 2020 and 2021 animal welfare incident reports from Australian export abattoirs. The documents have been published in response to Senator Faruqi’s long-overdue order for production of documents.

Senator Faruqi said:

“I’m appalled by the cruelty detailed in these reports. It’s sickening to see the avoidable suffering of thousands of animals.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, will this evening move to reverse the weakening of the ban on live sheep export to the Middle East during the Northern Summer by disallowing the Export Control (Animals) Amendment (Northern Hemisphere Summer Prohibition) Rules 2022. 

Senator Faruqi said:

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that today’s announced Australian poultry standards, which will phase-out battery cages, are long overdue but provide a far too lengthy transition period out to 2036.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The industry has had more than enough time to move away from battery cages. We now need some real action.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has panned Labor’s apparent swift backflip today on its promised phase-out of live sheep export.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Federal Labor should grow a spine and unequivocally recommit to this important policy, which they took to the last election. But it seems they can’t even do that.

The Greens have announced their plan for animal welfare ahead of the federal election.

Both the Coalition and Labor have ignored animal welfare over the last term of parliament, and actively supported industries that harm animals. The Greens believe we must properly care for animals and treat them with respect and compassion. We will fight to protect animals from cruelty and suffering and end harmful practices that put profit ahead of the welfare of animals.

As part of our plan, the Greens will push to:

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the reported winding back of the ban on live sheep export to the Middle East during the Northern Summer will result in completely avoidable animal death and suffering.

Senator Faruqi said:

I move:

That the Senate take note of the minister's failure to provide an answer or an explanation.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Department of Agriculture’s decision to extend consultation and delay the final report of the Review of live sheep exports by sea to, or through, the Middle East during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The government has proposed a substantial weakening of the Northern Summer prohibition. It will put thousands more sheep at risk of mortality and heat stress every year.

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (16:22): I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1304.

Leave granted.

Senator FARUQI: I move the motion as amended:

That—

More and more people are catching on to the horrors of the racing industry. After years of investigations, which have highlighted the cruelty of horse and greyhound racing again and again, it has become an issue that governments can no longer ignore or hide from. Several weeks ago, Minister Littleproud announced the allocation of $1.1 million towards establishing a national horse traceability scheme. This follows the recommendations of a Senate inquiry into horse traceability, which I initiated in 2019. The government needs to get on with this.