Large crowd rallies against live export

Animal rights campaigners and activists gathered outside NSW Parliament House on Saturday to rally for a ban on the continued live exportation of animals.

The protests were held in response to allegations Australian sheep were clubbed, stabbed and buried alive in Pakistan. Organisers were pleased with the estimated crowd of almost 3,000 people at the midday rally, representing a sizeable turnout given the wet weather.

The speakers included Animals Australia Executive Director Glenys Oogjes, GetUp Director Sam Mclean, and Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon. The rally comes as part of the broader national campaign calling for a ban of live animal exportation from Australia. Animals Australia organised seven rallies across the nation for the movement, which is showing no signs of dying out.

“[The campaign] is rippling around the country,” Ms Rhiannon said. “And certainly being heard in parliament.”

The issue rose to prominence in Australian media following an ABC Four Corners documentary aired in May last year, exposing the inhumane treatment of livestock during transportation to Indonesia. The expose incited a furore among animal activists and generated concern in the wider public.

“Animal welfare is the most powerful grassroots movement in the country,” Mr Mclean said. “We can’t hope the next parliament ends live exports. We have to make sure it does.”

Mr Mclean said activists need to be a voice for animals that don’t have a voice. He urged the crowd to actively pursue the issue by contacting their members of parliament (MPs).

Live exports were banned for a brief period in 2011 following the Four Corners exposé. The public outrage in reaction to the depicted cruelty provoked an inquiry by the Gillard Government into the exploitation of livestock, but the trade soon resumed.

“Animals shouldn’t have to put up with cruelty,” one protester said. “I’ve got no respect for farmers that export live animals.”

Animals Australia is optimistic about the impact of the campaign. An event spokesperson said: “People have come out in support and politicians are getting the message. Every day we get messages of support. Every day people are speaking out to their MPs to get them to stop live export.”

Another protester said it was a black and white issue. “It’s not just one or two [animals] that are dying a grisly death,” she said. “It’s thousands and thousands, and it has to stop.”

Australia is the world’s largest exporter of live animals, with the majority of livestock sent to Indonesia.