Earlier in the month, the Labor government announced it was funding a $107 million package over four years that would help sheep farmers transition out of live exporting amid animal welfare concerns.
Those protesting the legislation brought traffic in Perth to a halt as they blared their horns in unison as part of the ‘Keep the Sheep’ rally.
Peter Warburton, an organiser of the protest, said the rally was about standing up to the government and attempt to overturn its decision.
“We’re all getting sick and tired of being told what to do and how to do it,” Mr Warburton said.
“We’re here to stand up and show the government that we do listen and we’ve been doing the best way and you guys need to stand up and listen now.”
Among the vehicles included a ute with a hanged doll on the back with the words ‘Greens’ and ‘Labor’ on the wooden frame.
Many other vehicles had the words ‘Keep the sheep’ written on them while others featured puns livestock puns using the word ‘flock,’ such as ‘FLOCK EWE LABOR’ on the back of one truck.
Organiser Paul Brown said many farmers were fed up and wanted the legislation torn up.
“We’re just saying enough is enough, we won’t stand for this, we want the legislation revoked,” Mr Brown said.
Western Australia Nationals member Mia Davies was amongst those at the rally and called on the government to overturn the legislation.
“Heading to town to let everyone know Albanese needs to do the right thing by WA and #keepthesheep,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The live exporting industry came under fire in 2018 when sickly footage emerged showing thousands of sheep had died due to overcrowding and excessive heat on a livestock vessel.
Western Australia accounts for the vast majority of Australia’s $85.2m live sheep exporting industry.
Australia exported about 489,000 live sheep in 2021-22, with the three largest destinations being Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.