Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says the release of a major review into the culture and capability of the live animal export regulator will be a significant landmark in overhauling the troubled trade.
He said the final piece of the live export "puzzle" would be released in coming weeks, with the review into the Agriculture Department set to be made public.
"I understand the pain that's been caused. It's time to move forward, reset the industry and be proud of it," Mr Littleproud told the National Farmers' Federation Congress in Canberra on Wednesday.
Live exports have been under fire since video footage emerged of 2400 sheep dying in stifling conditions on a voyage from Fremantle to the Middle East.
Mr Littleproud had a pointed message for those calling for the trade to live sheep exports, with Labor and the Greens both pushing to phase out live exports.
"Make no mistake, if you think that we can ban it in Australia and you can put your head on a pillow at night and go to sleep and think you've done a great thing, well you haven't," he said.
A petition with almost 238,000 signatures calling for an end to all live exports was presented to parliament by the Greens on Tuesday.
But Mr Littleproud said other countries with worse animal welfare standards would fill the void if Australia pulled out of the industry.
There was also a blunt warning to those in the industry responsible for cruelty.
"From now on we will hold them to account and I will hold the regulator to account to make sure they set the culture," the minister said.
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