Live Animal Exports

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Independent MP Bob Katter to suspend standing orders so that a motion could be put forward to “to establish an immediate inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the Minister for Agriculture's decision to suspend the live cattle trade to Indonesia”. However, because an absolute majority was not achieved (as required for motions to suspend standing and sessional orders), the motion was not successful.

The motion was:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Kennedy moving immediately-

That this House urgently agrees to bring on the motion standing in the name of the Member for Kennedy to establish an immediate inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the Minister for Agriculture's decision to suspend the live cattle trade to Indonesia.

See Bob Katter's full explanation of his motion and the related debate on openaustralia.org.

Read more about this decision to ban live cattle trade to Indonesia on Lateline.