Lobby group heads to Canberra in 11th hour bid to stop live sheep ban

WA livestock transporter Ben Sutherland is calling on supporters to jump online today and write to independent senators in a last-ditch bid to overturn the live sheep ban legislation.

Sutherland, one of the organisers of rural lobby group Keep the Sheep, is in Canberra today to play his part and says every voice counts at this late stage.

“We’ve got intel that the Albanese Labor government is trying to ram this bill through first thing today, but fortunately for us, they don’t have the numbers in the Senate in their own right,” said Sutherland in a campaign update to followers.

“They also need the support of key independents.

“Just like we did with Kate Chaney, we might be able to sway the votes of Senators Tammy Tyrrell, David Pocock and Lydia Thorpe.

“So please, write to them and outline why keeping the sheep is important to you.”

Sutherland has also included some handy email tips to keep top of mind.

Points to make when emailing WA Labor senators:

• State that you expect them to stand up for their fellow Western Australians and cross the floor on this bill.
• Don’t be a traitor to WA. If Senator Payman can cross the floor, why can’t you? We know you won’t be kicked out of the party now.
• We believe you didn’t want a Senate Inquiry as you were concerned the truth about the phase out policy would come out – that your government has simply been repeating activist lies.
• Explain why you support the sheep industry and why you are opposed to the legislation.
• Explain how the ban will impact you personally if it does.
• State that you are disappointed that it has come to this and that you feel the Labor Government has let you down and it will be an election issue.
• Point that out that you also care about animal welfare.
• Explain to them that you are not asking much but only for them to do the right thing by WA Farmers/Shearers/Truckies/Rural Businesses/Rural communities etc.

When emailing crossbench senators:

• Please plead for their help – this bill is simply not fair.
• They have a responsibility to keep the government honest and they need to reject this bill and you need them to stand up for you to this government.
• Ask them not to sell you out to deals from the Government.
• The Labor Government didn’t want a Senate Inquiry as they were worried the truth about the phase out policy would come out and they have simply been repeating activist lies.
• Why you support the sheep industry and why you are opposed to the legislation.
• Explain how the ban will impact you personally.
• Point that out that you also care about animal welfare.
• Explain to them that you are not asking much but only for them to do the right thing by WA Farmers/Shearers/Truckies/Rural Businesses/Rural communities etc.

Sutherland said Chaney showed great courage and congratulated her for listening to the evidence and voting against the bill.