Report Cruelty Donate

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

take action live sheep export alternate
Priority issue
Australia is closer than it has ever…
Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

featured media release sheep v2
Media release: No further delays on live sheep export phase out
Read the media release

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us

For individuals

For businesses

National events

An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

AWS24 Banner 1200x630
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2024
Through their eyes: Strengthening our…
Learn more

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Media centre
  4. Government bankrolls the export of…

RSPCA Australia is deeply disappointed that the Government is again choosing to support live exports rather than invest in our own backyard following Austrade’s decision to fund research into building a sheep abattoir in Indonesia.

Around two million Australian sheep are exported live from WA every year, enduring the long sea journey to the Middle East, only to be slaughtered without stunning at the other end.

“If this Indonesian facility was to go ahead it would be creating an entirely new supply chain and unnecessarily placing animals at risk, when what should be happening is local investment, creating Australian jobs and protecting our animals,” said Mrs Lynne Bradshaw, RSPCA Australia President.

With enough spare physical processing capacity in Western Australia to absorb the entire national live sheep export trade, it makes absolutely no sense to spend tax payers’ money on scoping out a foreign facility.

Research has shown that two thousand jobs would be created in the WA processing industry if sheep were to be slaughtered here rather than exported abroad.

“At a time when the Government claims to be concerned about the fading Australian manufacturing industry, why are they looking to invest abroad rather than here?

“Everyone knows that the best welfare outcome for Australian sheep is for them to be slaughtered here under Australian standards.”

“The Federal and State Governments should be doing far more towards seriously developing the domestic processing capabilities and export markets for boxed meat. This will deliver significantly greater benefits to farmers, to our animals and bring jobs and economic benefits to the people of WA.”

Media contact: Elise Meakin, 0419 748 907, emeakin@rspca.org.au

subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.