Submission (Livestock Exports)

The ‘Ban Live Export’ campaign, right from the moment of decision to film abattoirs in Indonesia to the situation today, has proved to be a massive lesson in how NOT to go about something.

If Animals Australia and the RSPCA had intended to prevent the suffering of animals (which is what they are supposed to be about, aren’t they?) they have failed miserably. Quite apart from the damage done to the economy and morale of northern Australia, as a result of their efforts there is every chance that large numbers of Top End cattle will die of starvation (a dreadful, drawn out death,)  because many stations are now over stocked and will be eaten out well before the next Wet. Or thousands of cattle will have to be shot and left to decompose. In that country, because of the terrain and extensive areas involved, most of the shooting will have to be done from helicopters and, unless the Almighty is at the controls with Jesus Christ and the Prophet Mahomet as marksmen, a fair number of those cattle will die slowly over days, terrified and in pain. Hardly something that would appeal to organizations with animal welfare as their reason for existing – which, by the way, will include the poor devils who have to arrange and carry out the shooting!  Anyone who doesn’t believe me is advised to go up there and spend as long as it takes to find out!

While I totally agree that the behaviour, filmed at the abattoir in question, had to be stopped and others investigated, there were plenty of better, more intelligent and diplomatic ways of going about it without destroying an industry and the people and animals involved in both countries. The Indonesians, to their credit, appear to be trying hard to improve the situation from their end, but there will be consequences. After all, Australia behaved like a spoiled five year old throwing a tantrum!

As it is, there is now a situation that could easily have up to a decade’s worth of repercussions and serious side effects, all thanks to the very questionable behaviour of MLA over too long a period of time, and the terrifying ignorance and incompetence of the Government, especially the PM, the Minister for Agriculture and the Greens, combined with what appears to be a publicity stunt on the part of Animals Australia and the RSPCA. 

Elizabeth Gearey,
(Qld)

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