January 17, 2019 Independent inquiry must examine live export allegations The McGowan Government must immediately undertake an independent inquiry into allegations workers may have sabotaged the widely publicised Awassi Express shipment of live sheep to the Middle East in 2017. Shadow Agriculture Minister Ian Blayney said Western Australia’s live export industry had been bought to its knees after footage of dead and dying sheep on the ship was broadcast, so it was imperative the State Government now establish the integrity of those images. “Given that Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan is a long-time vocal opponent of the live export sector and seized on the Awassi Express images to further her campaign to phase out live exports, the State Government must immediately establish if the images were actually a propaganda exercise staged by animal activists,” Mr Blayney said. “The actions of workers on board the Awassi Express and any connections between those workers and Animals Australia must be the subject of a government investigation. “The McGowan Government also needs to be completely transparent about any relationship Minister MacTiernan has with Animals Australia and any of its associated groups. “I call on the Premier to declare any interactions his Government may have had with Animals Australia rather than wait for those connections to be exposed by others.” Mr Blayney said the live export industry was committed to continuous improvement in its animal welfare practices. “It is incredible to think that people claiming to be campaigning for improved animal welfare could be responsible for such dire acts of cruelty,” Mr Blayney said. Media Contact |
