Farmers matter - abattoir workers dont

A new committee, "The Live Export Steering Committee" has its sights set on creating an export market from Port Alma to China and Vietnam. Supported by Keppel MP Bruce Young, the premier and...of course Gladstone Ports (because it couldnt hurt them!), this selfish plan would cost 100s their jobs in Rockhampton.

Teys Australia, the local abattoir is one of the biggest employers in the region. They confirm that jobs would be lost if the plan goes ahead. Shades of what happened in the 1970s with about 15 northern abattoirs forced to close due to live export.

Contrast 2011 live ex suspension to Indonesia and the plight of pastoralists on every newspaper. Have we ever seen the distressed abattoir workers and their families plastered on the front pages of our papers when live-ex forces them out of the jobs. Answer no....not in 40 years...despite widespread hardship caused to their lives by the live ex trade. Clearly in Australia, farmers matter and people in the dirty jobs that keep farmers going, dont!