Transcript – Interview with Belinda Varischetti, ABC Country Hour
1 July 2024 Topics: Live sheep export ban, Labor’s poor Senate transparency, Food Donation Tax Incentive Private Senator’s Bill E&OE BELINDA VARISCHETTI: WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith has been in the Senate all morning. Senator, how far has the Bill to end the live sheep trade by sea progressed through the Senate this morning? DEAN SMITH: We’ve only had one contribution on the Bill thus far, but I’m the bearer of some disappointing news. Because shortly after the Senate began, the Government sought to guillotine the Bill. So that means that contributions from Senators like myself and Senators Brockman and O’Sullivan and others will be curtailed. We’ll get an opportunity to make contributions, but perhaps not the length that we would have liked. And the final vote on the Bill will be put this evening at about 10 o’clock Canberra time. So, a really disappointing development on what has been a really disappointing, complete disregard for West Australian interests by the Labor Government. In the Senate, Labor was supported by the Greens – I don’t think any of your listeners would be surprised by that. But importantly, WA Labor Senators Glen Sterle, Louise Pratt, et cetera, didn’t stand up for WA farming communities. So, this is a really disappointing development today. I think, at a bare minimum, people should have an opportunity to put their point of view in the Senate. No surprises that Liberal and National Party Senators are strongly opposed to this and have given a very clear commitment that, if elected, we will absolutely reverse the ban. Full credit to the important work that the Keep the Sheep campaign have been doing. Quite remarkable. You know this better than many, Belinda, but quite remarkable to see a united agricultural industry view on this issue. The West Australians have been out there in full force – 1,300 at the strong convoy back at the end of May, 3,000 at Muresk. And, of course, 60,000 signatures for the Keep the Sheep campaign. So, you know, the view of Western Australians who have an affinity with the rural and regional community is very clear. I just make this point to other Western Australians who think that this is not an issue important to them. It is important that West Australians stand united with our rural and regional communities because we never know what will come under attack in the future. And I’ve always believed as a Senator representing the whole state, I’ve always believed that West Australians living in Perth and the suburbs have always had a very high regard and understood the importance of WA rural and regional communities. So, this is a really terrible set of circumstances. And the Government has an agenda. It is seeking to undermine confidence in the industry. And we know that the beneficiaries of this will be the Labor Party. Shocking set of circumstances. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: We heard just a moment ago Senator Bridget McKenzie was trying to get a Senate Inquiry into this Bill before the vote. What are the chances of that happening now if it goes to the vote at the latest by 10 o’clock this evening? DEAN SMITH: So, the way that the Senate works is that when everyone finishes their contributions, then amendments are put to the Bill or amendments to bring on inquiries are given an opportunity to be voted. So, I’ve got every confidence that Senator McKenzie’s motion to have a Senate inquiry – supported by Senator Brockman, who’s done some great work on this, Senator O’Sullivan, myself, Senator Reynolds, Senator Cash – that will be put to the Senate. And in the next few hours people should be ringing Senator Sterle, the Labor Senator from Western Australia, ringing Senator Pratt, ringing Senator Payman, who has made it very, very clear – she has demonstrated to the world that the binding caucus doesn’t always apply to Labor Senators. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: And the campaigners for Keep the Sheep are really encouraged by that move by Labor Senator Payman, crossing the floor of the Senate last week to vote for a Greens’ motion recognising a Palestinian state. Any sign any Labor Senator is prepared to do the same with this bill? DEAN SMITH: It will be very interesting to hear Senator Sterle’s contribution. Very interesting to hear Senator Pratt’s contribution, when we get to that later this afternoon and tonight. Because, you know, Senator Payman expressed her point of view on an issue that is many thousands of miles away from Western Australia. I would hope that she would express, or have the same sort of courage to step aside, from the Labor Government’s perspective on this, that Senator Sterle and Senator Pratt and others will adopt a bit of that courage and stand up for communities that are much, much closer to them. But the Keep the Sheep delegation is here. I saw them this morning in the main entrance. They’ve been doing the rounds. Doing very, very important work, holding people accountable, because this is a very important issue that goes to the livelihoods of rural and regional towns in our community and extends beyond them. So, it’s been an important campaign, it’s been a necessary campaign. And let’s hope that some sense will prevail by the time we get to the final vote in the Senate this evening. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: And there’s no changing that vote? There’s definitely going to be a vote on this Bill by 10 o’clock this evening? DEAN SMITH: There will definitely be a vote in the Senate, beginning at 10 o’clock this evening Canberra time, yes. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: Thank you for going through the very latest coming out of the Senate today. I really appreciate that, Dean Smith. And also you’ve had your own Private Member’s Bill. I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to actually introduce your Private Member’s Bill to Parliament yet, but this is all about offering lucrative tax concessions to encourage more farmers…