• A Mettam Liberal Government will support WA’s live sheep trade and lobby the Federal Government to overturn the Commonwealth ban scheduled for 2028.

• If elected as Premier in March, Libby Mettam will lead a Western Australian trade delegation overseas, to support the live sheep trade and strengthen trade ties.

• WA Liberals also make a range of other Agriculture portfolio commitments including creating a standalone Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The WA Liberals will continue to support WA’s live sheep trade, with a Mettam Liberal Government to lobby the Federal Government to overturn the Commonwealth ban scheduled to begin in 2028.

Libby Mettam has also committed to leading an overseas trade delegation to the Middle East to promote WA’s agricultural exports, including live sheep, if elected as Premier in March.

The news comes as the Australian Live Export Council says it will continue to expand overseas markets despite the proposed 2028 ban if Anthony Albanese is returned to power, with countries such as Morocco in the market for high-quality and reliable Australian sheep to bolster their food security.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO LIBBY METTAM

“Our announcement today makes clear our strong position of support for WA’s live sheep trade, and the regional communities that thrive on a healthy agricultural trade.

“A government I lead won’t just provide lip service – we’ll actively support, promote and defend the trade and defend regional WA from Labor’s attack on livelihoods.

“Labor have undermined Australia’s longstanding credibility as a reliable trading partner with the Middle East.

“Only the WA Liberals are committed to repairing the relationship with one of our key export markets for agricultural products, even beyond live sheep.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO STEVE MARTIN

“Roger Cook’s crocodile tears approach on the ban on WA’s live sheep trade is just not good enough.

“WA Labor has stood by while their colleagues in Canberra have trashed our states’ reputation as reliable trading partners, while throwing regional businesses and communities under the bus for inner-city preferences.

“The official position of support for the trade from WA Labor is a purely cosmetic exercise to avoid taking on more political damage in the regions, after the gutting of regional representation, the botched forestry jobs transition, and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage disaster.

“The agricultural industry in Western Australia does incredible work providing food for our own population and across the world. The WA Liberals will back our producers every time.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DR HOLLY LUDEMAN

“Over 100,000 people have signed the Keep the Sheep petition, and I am proud to be one of them. This grassroots movement was born out of the need to take action against the Albanese Government’s ban on live sheep exports.

“The ban is already having devastating impacts on WA farming families and their communities. I welcome today’s announcement from the WA Liberals in support of the industry.

“The live sheep trade has achieved world-leading animal welfare standards following years of significant industry-led reform.

“The Albanese Government’s decision to ban the trade disregards science and the substantial progress made. Removing Australia from this international market will not improve global animal welfare—instead, it panders to ideology and jeopardises relationships with valued trading partners.”