I received an email from Sussan Ley this evening. I hope what Sussan is saying is true. As many of you know I do not pretend to understand politics at all. In fact I’ve received hundreds of emails saying I should go into parliament, but I know nothing about politics except I don’t trust most of them (I would also be arrested for assault if I was to run into a certain red faced politician).

I am more than willing to publicly apologise to both Sussan Ley and Sarah Henderson if what Sussan says is true. If Live Exports End because these 2 women are morally upright, I will put a huge post on here and say I misjudged them.

Receiving Sussan’s email has given me hope that we are closer than we think to finalising Live Exports once and for all.

I still plan to go ahead with the ‘NoAware Protest” Days in Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston and Hobart, if the Insurance will cover me and it’s not too expensive Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne will be involved.

If the insurance doesn’t happen, I’ll do the Australia Post flyer distribution (I know 20,000 flyers will definitely make it into people’s letterboxes that way) and I’ll just go ahead with Syd, Bris, Launceston and Hobart for the protests..

Here is Sussan’s email....

Dear Lisa

There has been no backflip. The vote on Monday was not to debate our Bill, it was to bring forward a Hinch/Greens Senate Bill. It was a vote to interrupt the Government’s management of the Parliament.

Please do not believe the ‘spin’ from the media and the Opposition (Labor and the Greens), many of whom have as their primary aim the embarrassment and removal of this government.

The Hinch/Greens Senate Bill remains on the agenda for the House of Representatives. Had Labor’s intervention (done for political purposes) succeeded, this Bill would still not have passed because at least one crossbencher would not have supported it.

Meanwhile my Private Members Bill has not been shelved, dumped or abandoned – the rules of the Parliament mean it is still ‘alive’ – in fact there have been speakers on it this week.

Both Sarah and I are continuing to work with our Liberal party colleagues to achieve our long term objective - which is for the end of live sheep exports to become Liberal Party policy. In this way we know there will be

• no amendments to include live cattle
• farmers in WA will be supported through a five year transition; and
• jobs and investment for WA will be prioritised.

There has not been a shipment of live sheep since June 6 (last year approximately 400 000 head were exported during this period). Increased scrutiny, our advocacy and the Minister’s tough new rules have all contributed to this.

We now await the findings of the Moss review into the capability and behaviour of the Regulator and the continued implementation of the McCarthy recommendations which will dramatically affect the business model of animal cruelty that has underpinned this trade to date.

I spoke in parliament on this issue earlier today. A copy of that transcript can be found here http://sussanley.com/federation-chamber-statement-crossbench-bill/

I welcome any further questions by return email.

Regards,
Sussan