❓ Mr Love questions the Premier on abattoir access issues following the live sheep export ban and existing capacity constraints. The Premier assures the government is focused on boosting meat-processing capacity and assisting the industry's transition, highlighting the state's strong financial position.
AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LIVESTOCK
PRODUCERS — ABATTOIR ACCESS
618. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. With capacity constraints
demonstrated at existing abattoirs and the Premier's federal colleagues'
senseless closure of live sheep exports, can the Premier see the looming
problem for Western Australia's livestock industry, thanks to
government decisions made both in Canberra and Perth?
PRODUCERS — ABATTOIR ACCESS
618. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. With capacity constraints
demonstrated at existing abattoirs and the Premier's federal colleagues'
senseless closure of live sheep exports, can the Premier see the looming
problem for Western Australia's livestock industry, thanks to
government decisions made both in Canberra and Perth?
AnswerView source ↗
I note that the decisions in Canberra will not impact farmers
until May 2028. There is still time to make sure that we assist the industry to
transition. We are obviously very focused on continuing to build our
meat-processing capacity. I want sheep processed in Western Australia. That
means there are more WA jobs. It means there are higher-value products for
export, and it means that we can look after those animals better and treat them
in a way that we wish. The fact is that we need to continue to boost our
meat-processing capability. That is something that the Minister for Agriculture
and Food and the Minister for Regional Development are very focused on, and we
will make sure that we get the job done. We can do this because we have looked
after the state's finances and we are in a position to invest and to
assist industry. We can move in a strategic direction that is in the interests
of Western Australia, instead of simply raising
taxes, running up deficits and debt as far as the eye can see, and not being in a position to assist industry at all because, essentially, we have cooked
the books, as the Liberal and National Parties did prior to coming into
government.
We will continue to work
closely with the industry. We know that our agricultural industry is part of
the foundations of our economy. It is a key part of not only Western Australian
jobs, but also Western Australian lives and communities. That is the reason we
are working hard to make sure that this industry continues to thrive and that
we can continue to benefit from value adding to agrifood products.
until May 2028. There is still time to make sure that we assist the industry to
transition. We are obviously very focused on continuing to build our
meat-processing capacity. I want sheep processed in Western Australia. That
means there are more WA jobs. It means there are higher-value products for
export, and it means that we can look after those animals better and treat them
in a way that we wish. The fact is that we need to continue to boost our
meat-processing capability. That is something that the Minister for Agriculture
and Food and the Minister for Regional Development are very focused on, and we
will make sure that we get the job done. We can do this because we have looked
after the state's finances and we are in a position to invest and to
assist industry. We can move in a strategic direction that is in the interests
of Western Australia, instead of simply raising
taxes, running up deficits and debt as far as the eye can see, and not being in a position to assist industry at all because, essentially, we have cooked
the books, as the Liberal and National Parties did prior to coming into
government.
We will continue to work
closely with the industry. We know that our agricultural industry is part of
the foundations of our economy. It is a key part of not only Western Australian
jobs, but also Western Australian lives and communities. That is the reason we
are working hard to make sure that this industry continues to thrive and that
we can continue to benefit from value adding to agrifood products.
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