One of Malcolm Turnbull's most senior lieutenants has promised that a rogue backbencher will not be punished for defying the government over live sheep exports.
Liberal MP Sussan Ley is pushing on with plans to introduce a private members bill to phase out the trade, despite the coalition vowing to impose tougher rules on the embattled industry.
Cabinet Minister Christopher Pyne says Ms Ley is entitled to pursue the legislation, which would end live sheep exports within five years.
"I welcome all backbenchers doing that. I think she is well within her rights. She has strong views about it," Mr Pyne told the Nine Network on Friday.
"We are not a Stalinist party, she certainly won't be punished for having those views."
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Thursday announced the government would adopt all 23 recommendations made by livestock vet Michael McCarthy's report into the northern hemisphere summer trade.
The review was commissioned by the minister after shocking footage was released showing almost 2500 sheep dying on a ship to the Middle East in 2016.
Labor is increasingly likely to support Ms Ley's private bill.
The legislation also has the support of independent senator Derryn Hinch, who believes a slew of government MPs could cross the floor.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese believes switching from shifting from live exports to "value-adding" in Australia will drive employment.
"We need to immediately end the export during the summer months. We know that it is simply untenable," Mr Albanese said.
"The evidence is in, we need to respond to that in the interests not just of the animals themselves, but also in the long-term interests of the industry."
Mr Littleproud has refused to ban the trade, arguing live sheep exports are to important to farmers.
Under the new regulations, the number of animals on ships will be cut by up to 28 per cent, with up to 39 per cent more space on live export vessels.
The government has proposed tough penalties for dodgy exporters, with jail terms of up to 10 years for company directors and individuals.
"I think we've responded as toughly as you can without banning the trade, which would be going too far," Mr Pyne said.
Fines ranging between $420,000 for individuals and $4.2 million for companies will also be included in legislation to be introduced in coming weeks.
"I intend to hold them to account. I don't think we've held them to account properly as a government," Mr Littleproud said.
Ms Ley said the changes didn't go far enough, with the trade in "terminal decline".
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