At the WA Labor Conference in July 2011, a momentous Animal Welfare motion introduced by Lisa Baker Member for Maylands was passed. The section covering live exports reads as follows:
On Live Export:
64. Labor recognises that:
a) There are strong economic, job and animal welfare reasons for transitioning from the live export trade to domestic processing of animals for local consumption and the chilled and frozen meat trade.
b) While the live export trade continues, livestock for slaughter from Australia will be treated humanely while being transported and in the country of destination.
65. To this end, Labor will:
a) Require that livestock be transported, unloaded, held and slaughtered in accordance with OIE Guidelines and stunned using appropriate humane restraints immediately before slaughter, and that there will be independent monitoring and enforcement of these standards.
b) Ensure adequate transitional arrangements are in place to facilitate the expansion of a chilled and frozen meat trade.
c) Develop and implement an alternative and sustainable economic base for the pastoral industry in the north of Western Australia.
d) Work with the Commonwealth government, industry and importing countries to promote the trade in chilled meat from animals humanely transported and slaughtered in Australia.
e) Pursue, as part of trade negotiations, the elimination of policies of foreign governments, such as subsidies and tariffs, which distort competitive neutrality between the meat processing and the live export industries.
f) Promote Australian chilled and frozen meat in potential new markets through intensive international promotional campaigns, such as the emerging markets in China.
WA animal lovers need to vote for Labor in the next state election to help make this motion a reality!
Photograph courtesy of Katrina Love.
EthicalJobs.com.au donates $4,000 to four small community organisations every 3 months - the idea is to support small organisations doing great work for a more sustainable, just world. And they've chosen Stop Live Exports as one of the four organisations to donate to for the next three months.
They ask their website users to help make the decision by letting them vote in a poll on how the donation is split between the organisations that have been chosen. (If you visit the homepage on www.EthicalJobs.com.au you can find the donation poll in the bottom left corner).
The more Stop Live Exports supporters that visit the site and vote for us, the larger the donation to us is. Each vote on the poll at EthicalJobs.com.au increases the proportion of the $4,000 that will come to us at the end of November.
It would be great if you could let your wider networks know about the poll, so they can vote for us too.
All during Saturday night the rain fell in sheets and at 7.00am on the Esplanade reserve in Fremantle on Sunday, the weather didn’t look any more promising. My trusty team of SLE volunteers battled on regardless and by 11.30am we were ready to go and like a sign from above, the sun came out! And the people came, a trickle at first and then in ever increasing waves, placards held high. It’s hard to gauge crowd numbers at a glance but we estimate that the final turnout was in excess of 1,500!
We started at noon with some great music from Dilip and the Davs followed by passionate and rousing speeches from Lisa Baker MLA, Member for Maylands, Senator Rachel Siewert, Chris Tallentire, MLA Member for Gosnells, Lyn MacLaren MLC Member for the South Metropolitan Region and Lyn Bradshaw, National and State President of the RSPCA. Lyn White’s speech was also played over the airwaves during which you could have heard a pin drop and there wasn’t a dry eye on the Esplanade reserve.
The spirit of the day was amazing – happy, friendly, supportive and caring. Children planted their wishes in the Wish Garden and coloured in pictures of lambs and cows. Levy the sheep put in an appearance, as did a beautiful calf called Daisy, a goat and dogs of all shapes and sizes. There were babies and pensioners, bankers and teachers – just ordinary Australians from all walks of life coming together to speak out for those that cannot.
This is how together, this cruel trade will end....
As you may have heard, two Bills are about to go before Federal Parliament next week. One is being presented by Greens Senator, Rachel Siewert and the other by Nick Xenophon and Andrew Wilkie.
Please contact your Federal MP and Federal Senator and ask them to support these Bills.
You can do this via a letter, phone call or email, although a personal letter is often the best if you have a spare few minutes.
You can send an automated letter via the Animals Australia website
Or you can send a general letter asking for an end to the trade via WSPA's Humane Chain website.
To find out who your Lower House MP is, click here
To find out who your Senator is, click here
If you arent sure which Federal electorate you are in, please click here to go to the Australian Electoral Commission search
It would be very worthwhile to contact your State MP in WA, please click here for more information
Other things you can do...
1. Contact the Prime Minister
Let Julia Gillard know that you think this treatment of Australian animals is completely unacceptable and you want the see the trade in live animals end to not only support animal welfare, but local jobs in meat processing facilities around Australia. The most powerful way to be heard is an individually written letter. The PM's contact details are:
The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Send an instant message to the PM here
For more info on what the Australasian Meat Workers have to say, click here
2. Social Media
Please use Twitter (#BanLiveExport) and Facebook to get the message out there to all your friends and family.
3. Check Out Animals Australia's National Week of Action page
Check out more details on the National Week of Action. You can also download a letter on this page and ask family, friends, neighbours and workmates to sign - or you can take to the streets!
4. Stay in Touch
Join up to our newsletter (we only send 1-2 per month about how to help, events and heaps more) by clicking here or stay in touch via Facebook. You can also unsubscribe at any time.
5. Join Us
You can help keep the campaign in alive in WA by becoming a member of Stop Live Exports, a grass-roots group that has been campaigning for an end to this trade for many years! We have a huge volunteer base that is getting the message out to the community, media and politicians. Click here to join. A good strong membership sends a message to decision makers that this is an important issue.
If you would like further updates, please subscribe to our e-news by clicking hereThank You
PS. Some of you have asked about the rally against live exports. This is not being organised by Stop Live Exports.
Please direct all enquries to this website.
A Message From Lynn MacLaren, Greens MLC
As many of you know, I’ve been working toward an end to live exports since 1995. As founding President of PACAT I was supported in my activism by both the Democrats and the Greens. Eventually I joined the Greens and now serve as a Member of Parliament in Western Australia. I urge you to continue to call for a complete ban of the exportation of live animals for slaughter. The Greens have introduced a bill to do just that. If you support it, let others know about this bill and why not let the Greens in the Senate and Adam Bandt know you support it at the same time that you ask Julia Gillard or your federal member of Parliament to ban the trade.
Australia has exported live animals for decades. 26 years ago a senate inquiry carefully investigated the trade and determined it could not be conducted humanely. Since that time old rust bucket converted car carriers have been replaced by state of the art multiple million dollar purpose built ships that deliver our animals into horrific conditions abroad. The breeds and weight of animals permitted for export have been restricted to those who stand the best chance of survival. Still 30,000 sheep died enroute last year and over a thousand cattle. While these mortalities are reported (without independent verification) suffering during loading, unloading and transportation is not measured by statistics. Over the years ships have sunk due to mechanical breakdowns and storms, ventilation systems have failed, thousands have been stranded in foreign ports due to suspected disease, wars and political friction. We have evidence of cruelty at every stage. There is only one solution: don't export live animals for slaughter overseas.
If farmers need compensation, it should come from the MLA fund. The government and industry bodies permitted this trade to continue though they knew about the unacceptable conditions. To the farmers who weren't fooled into thinking that this trade was humane, I congratulate you for your choice not to export live animals for slaughter. You should be commended and respected for your stance.
Four Corners - The Shocking Truth behind the Live Export Industry
If you were shocked along with the rest of Australia regarding the treatment of Australian cattle in Indonesia, this is your time to get involved. We have outlined some easy things you can do. Our Campaign Manager is standing by to help, so please feel free to contact Jodie on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
1. Contact the Prime Minister
Let Julia Gillard know that you think this treatment of Australian animals is completely unacceptable and you want the see the trade in cattle to Indonesia suspended immediately along with an overall end date to live animal exports. The most powerful way to be heard is an individually written letter. Please feel free to ask for help with this. The PM's contact details are:
The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Send an instant message to the PM here
2. Contact your Federal and State MP
Please also contact your State and Federal MP!
If you live in WA, contact your State MP. You can find a listing of MP contact details here.
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Members+-+Current
You can find a listing of Federal MP contact details here
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/index.htm
In your letter, to avoid a standard response that is generated by a computer, be sure to ask specific questions. Questions could include asking about Government spending on live exports, how they could possibly trust anything the industry says and what is being done about local jobs. Please ask us for help.
3. Social Media
Please use Twitter (#BanLiveExport) and Facebook to get the message out there to all your friends and family.
4. Dedicated Animals Australia and RSPCA Website
Check out the dedicated website put together by Animals Australia and RSPCA here
6. Join the Get Up Campaign
7. Stay in Touch
Join up to our newsletter (we only send 1-2 per month about how to help, events and heaps more) by clicking here or stay in touch via Facebook. You can also unsubscribe at any time.
8. Join Us
You can help keep the campaign in alive in WA by becoming a member of Stop Live Exports, a grass-roots group that has been campaigning for an end to this trade for many years! We have a huge volunteer base that is getting the message out to the community, media and politicians. Click here to join. A good strong membership sends a message to decision makers that this is an important issue.
If you missed Four Corners, it will be replayed on Tuesday 31st May ay 11.35pm and Saturday 4th June at 8pm on ABC News 24. You can also see a replay at http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/
Thank you
Volunteer Profile - Sandie Rawnsley
What is your occupation
I’m a marketing manager at Murdoch University, working in the Research & Development area
Why did you choose to get involved with the live export issue?
When I moved to Fremantle recently, the issue of live exports was thrust into my conscientious. I have to drive to Murdoch along the Leach Highway and so get to see firsthand the sad sight of animals packed into trucks (and I do mean packed and often in very heated conditions) being taken to the harbour. I hate the sight of those trucks and seeing one really spoils my day. The local Fremantle people complain about the smell of the animals when the ships are in but I’m glad that people have a constant reminder of the suffering of these poor animals.
Do your family get involved as well?
I dragged my husband along to a Stop Live Exports public meeting recently and I was amazed and pleased at how vocal and emotional he became about the issue. My daughter also helps with raising awareness about the cause amongst her friends and she will also be performing at the fundraiser at the Fly by Night (see more below)
Why do you think others should get involved?
I’ve met very few people who think that this trade is right. Many people express their abhorrence of the trade but don’t know what they can do to get it stopped. Many people also can’t confront the suffering and so turn away from it. Getting involved with Stop Live Exports means that you can start to do something positive – every signature on a petition, every cent collected, every politician lobbied are all steps in the right direction.
What are you working on with Stop Live Exports right now?
A couple of us are organising a fundraiser at the Fly by Night in Fremantle on the evening of Sunday 18th September. We’ve secured some fantastic musical talent with the Sneaky Weasel Gang and Lightening Jack and performances from the Vintage Reds vaudeville duo and others. There will also be raffles and prizes and EcoFairies - it’s going to be a wonderful party and everyone who reads this must come along and join in the fun.
What other causes do you support?
RSPCA, WSPA – anything that prevents animal suffering.
Whom do you most admire
Nelson Mandela, for his capacity to forgive and lead a nation away from recrimination and blame. I spent my childhood in South Africa so understand how different things might have been if it were not for President Mandela.
What is your favourite food?
A favourite meal would be crusty bread straight from the oven, a selection of European cheeses, lots of salads, avocado and asparagus and lashings of French Champagne!
A huge thanks to Avant Card who will be sponsoring our latest postcard campaign, featurng none other than our gorgeous mascot, Levy Lamb! The postcards will go into locations all around Perth from 15th June 2011. The campaign is designed to let people know that live animal export costs us a whole lot – from jobs, economic growth and of course, Australia’s reputation as we are sending animals off into unimaginable cruelty. People will be prompted to go to our website sign up for news alerts and take action.
This campaign is being completely donated by Avant Card, including design, printing and distribution. A huge thanks to them for their support.
The WA Labor Party will be holding their Conference in June. So now is a great time to write to your State MP, highlighting the damage the industry does to local jobs. We need to reach the following Labor MP’s. Please write your letter in a polite way (some of these MP’s are already on side!) and let them know you fully support a phase out of live exports in favour of local jobs.
Tony Buti, Armadale
Roger Cook, Kwinana
Janine Freeman, Nollamara
John Hyde, Perth
Bill Johnston, Cannington
John Kobelke, Balcatta
Fran Logan, Cockburn
Carol Martin, Kimberley
Mark McGowan, Rockingham
Michael Murray, Collie-Preston
Tony O’Gorman, Joondalup
Paul Papalia, Warnbro
John Quigley, Mindarie
Margaret Quirk, Girrawheen
Eric Ripper, Belmont
Michelle Roberts, Midland
Rita Saffioti, West Swan
Tom Stephens, Pilbara
Chris Tallentire, Gosnells
David Templeman, Mandurah
Peter Tinley, Willagee
Andrew Waddell, Forrestfield
Peter Watson, Albany
Martin Whitley, Bassendean
Ben Wyatt, Victoria Park
To find address details, go to the WA Parliament website
If you need a hand to write the letter, or are having trouble finding contact details, please feel free to contact me. We don’t provide standard letters anymore as we continually hear from politicians that they don’t take any notice of them! Even a few handwritten lines or a card or email is better than nothing!
Also, if you are a member of the WA Labor Party, please contact Jodie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Uni Students: Help animals and make sure your University wins the Humane Campus Challenge!!
Nearly 85,000 Australians have joined the Humane Chain, calling for the government to end the cruel live sheep export trade. Can you help WSPA reach 100,000?
Throughout the month of May WSPA is holding a Humane Campus Challenge
The challenge is for Australian universities to generate as many letters to Members of Parliament as possible urging them to end live exports. And yes, there are prizes!
The university that collects the most letters during the month of May will be rewarded with $500 to put towards a party on your campus to thank you for your work, with an additional prize for student leaders. (Conditions apply – see sign-up form.)
Let us know if you’d like to be a student leader by the end of this week and WSPA will send you flyers and an information pack to empower you to become an activist online and off, and involve students on your campus. If you want to share the load (it's a small load), find a friend that wants to be a student leader with you. We’re aiming to find 1-2 leaders per University.
Participants must be part of a recognised Australian University.
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ASAP
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Public Hearing Regarding Live Exports Nov 2010
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Time to End Live Exports June 2010
Fremantle Council Resolution May 2010
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