Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism, Kevin Hogan, has expressed his outrage at Prime Minister Albanese's idea of a 'joke' at the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award gala at Parliament House this week.
While addressing some 600 people, the Prime Minister referred to a meal he'd shared with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto.
"We had dinner, beautiful Australian beef – not the live export, we made sure it was dead," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Hogan said the federal Labor Government has entirely underestimated the devastating impact of its decision to end the live sheep export trade.
"They should be apologising for the mental health anguish and financial and emotional trauma they're causing people in the industry" Mr Hogan said.
"I have previously said the Albanese government should be ashamed of their decision to ban live sheep exports."
"Instead, we have the leader of our country attempting to make a joke about the decision at none other than a night that is to celebrate our agricultural industry. That really takes the cake."
"It is nothing short of shameful."
Mr Hogan said not only is the government showing utter disregard for the industry, it is treating a vital trade recklessly and failing to acknowledge the impact on our international trading relations.
"Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are our biggest markets who import our live sheep for religious, cultural, and social stability," Mr Hogan said.
"This type of behaviour from the leader of our country is abhorrent and the Prime Minister should reflect on the consequences of his actions before he does even more damage."
