Live Animal Exports

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, which means that it was rejected. The motion was:

That the Senate-

(a) notes that:

_(i) in November 2011, the Federal Labor Conference voted against phasing out the live export trade but agreed to establish an independent Office of Animal Welfare,_

(ii) in November 2012 the Labor Caucus voted to have the Caucus Live Animal Export Working Group develop a model for an Office of Animal Welfare to be presented to Caucus by the end of February 2013, and

_(iii) in February 2012, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) failed to show clear support for the establishment of an office under questioning from the Australian Greens in Senate estimates, stating 'we will continue to look at the issue'; and_

(b) calls on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to immediately report to Parliament on the progress to establish the Office of Animal Welfare and commit to legislation establishing the office before the 14 September 2013 election.