Live sheep exports: Fatima Payman vows to fight for ‘fair outcome’ for WA farmers

New independent senator Fatima Payman is vowing to fight for a “fair outcome” for WA sheep farmers as she urges Agriculture Minister Julie Collins to join her on a tour of the towns bracing for the end of the live export trade.

Senator Payman has used one of her first speeches to the Senate since sensationally quitting Labor to show solidarity with the State’s farming communities.

The crossbencher was in exile from Labor and wasn’t in the chamber when her then colleagues rammed through legislation to end the live sheep export trade by May 2028.

As a WA Labor backbencher she never appeared to show an interest in the industry, despite it employing thousands of her constituents.

But after spending parliament’s winter break visiting regional WA communities – including sheep farming heartland Katanning – Senator Payman’s eyes have been opened to the damage the shutdown will inflict.

In a two-minute statement to the Senate on Wednesday, Senator Payman spoke of her interactions with farmers such as “Judith” from the small town of Pumphreys Bridge south-east of Perth.

The impact doesn’t stop at the farm gates

“I visited her farm and you know what she said to me about this ‘transition’ package. She told me transition to what?” Senator Payman said.

“She can’t just start farming cattle – it will cost her $2 million alone to just upgrade the fencing alone.

“She can’t just grow crops – her farm fields are perfect for grazing, not for crop harvesting.

“And the impact doesn’t stop at the farm gates, it cascades down to the shearers, truck drivers, crutchers, earmarkers and small businesses.”

Senator Payman stopped short of calling for the ban to be overturned and said there were valid arguments on both sides of the debate.

She said her focus was on getting a “fair outcome” for WA sheep farmers.

“Let not’s just hear them, let’s act on their concerns,” she said, imploring Ms Collins to join her on a tour of regional WA to hear directly from affected communities.

In a statement to The West, Ms Collins confirmed she would travel to WA later this year and speak with farmers and industry stakeholders.

“The Government took this policy to the election, and we have gone about implementing it in a consultative and orderly manner,” she said.

The Federal Government is planning to spend $107 million to ensure a “smooth transition” for the industry, which includes funding to build up onshore processing.

The amount has been dismissed as inadequate by the WA Government and WA’s peak farming groups, which wants a $300 million package.

In a message tailored to east coast senators, Senator Payman said sheep farming was to Katanning what coal mining was to the NSW Hunter Valley.

“It is the lifeblood of these communities,” she said.

The speech was in keeping with Senator Payman’s vow to be true independent “voice for WA” and speak up about issues beyond the Gaza conflict and Palestinian recognition, which caused her dramatic split from Labor.