The senate is expected to vote on Monday night on the legislation to phase out the trade by May 2028.
A bid on Monday by Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie to force a senate inquiry into the ban failed.
Keep the Sheep supporters have raised over $400 thousand and say they will target Labor in marginal seats across Australia if the trade is outlawed.
Our delegation is heading to Canberra today to advocate for our industry — KeepTheSheep (@keepthesheepWA) #keepthesheep �🫶💪� pic.twitter.com/SAF0Uuu65gJune 30, 2024
"As we raise more funds we will be targeting every marginal Labor seat across this country to try and get what we need," president of WA Farmer's John Hassell told a media conference in Canberra on Monday.Â
"There is seething anger across farming communities because our farmers have been treated with contempt," Mr Hassell said.
The opposition has accused the government of racing through the proposal without consultation.
"Labor's policy to shut down the live sheep export industry fails to acknowledge the importance of the sector," Senator McKenzie told the senate on Monday.
"The coalition... will overturn this legislation if we're elected," Senator McKenzie said.
"This is ideologically driven to win votes in East Coast capital cities, and it is West Coast farmers and regional communities that are paying the price," the senator said.
The proposal to end live sheep exports in Australia passed the lower house last week, with a $107 million transition package to flow to affected farmers.
"This is an election commitment that we took to not just one, but two elections, and we're now delivering on that election commitment as Australians would expect us to do so," Agriculture minister Murray Watt told the senate.
"We know this is an industry that's been in long term decline, ... and the numbers of sheep being exported by sea have fallen by 90 per cent over the last 20 years."
Labor Senator Katy Gallagher said it was time to pass the legislation, "to give certainty to farmers, to get this transition support package out the door and create more jobs in WA."Â
The ban also has the support of greens senator Mehreen Faruqi who wants the trade outlawed because of animal welfare concerns.Â
"Finally the day is here, the day we set the date to end this vile and cruel, sheep export industry is here. It has taken too long, but today will be a win," Senator Faruqi said.
But Keep the Sheep campaigner and rural transport operator Ben Sutherland said the ban would ruin the livelihoods of 3000 people and he called on senators to vote against the legislation.
"We've got thousands of people, urban and rural people as volunteers... to come and help us fight this terrible decision," Â Mr Sutherland said.
Mr Sutherland said the trade was imperative, not just for Western Australia but also for Australia's trade and economy, which made the visit to the east coast crucial.
"We are in Canberra asking Senators to support our trade, to keep our rural businesses and communities going and to keep farmers farming," Mr Sutherland said.
In June fired-up farmers warned a parliamentary inquiry that travelled to regional Western Australia that some WA towns will die if the trade is banned by 2028 as planned.
Labor vowed to end the trade following animal rights concerns after thousands of sheep died of heat stress while en route to the Middle East.
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