‘Poisoned chalice’: WA agriculture sector’s hunt for a $1600-a-day advocate for live sheep ban

It’s the $1600-a-day job WA’s agriculture sector thinks no one will want: the Government is searching for someone to advocate for its live sheep export ban.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins launched the search for a “transition advocate” this week with applications open until December 16.

The hiring process comes as official data shows a predicted uptick in live sheep exports but also record levels of Australian mutton being shipped overseas.

Legislation to ban live sheep exports from mid-2028 passed Parliament earlier this year despite heavy criticism from WA farmers.

The Government has offered a $139 million package to help with the transition, including $1.7 million for the advocacy position and supporting staff to make sure communication flows between farmers and bureaucrats.

Information for potential candidates seen by The West Australian reveals the Government is even willing to consider hiring a small group of people instead of just one person.

If it goes to a single person, they are expected to work up to 80 days a year for the duration of the contract until June 2029, with pay between $1200-$1600 a day.

Members of a two- or three-person advisory group would be paid $500-$800 a day and halve the anticipated workload of the transition advocate.

The Government is on the hunt for someone who has worked in the sheep supply chain and who can manage relationships with a “wide spectrum of stakeholders” and support people through transitions.

“Experience in Western Australian agriculture is desirable,” the candidate information pack states.

The ban on live sheep exports will disproportionately hit WA farmers.

The head of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council doubted anyone would put their hand up.

“Quite simply, no one wants to be a mouthpiece for the Government’s sheep ban policy,” Mark Harvey-Sutton said, labelling the job a “poisoned chalice”.

“After the independent panel appointed by the minister recommended a transition of at least 10 years and was subsequently altered to four, people in the industry are very wary that the advice they give the minister may be disregarded in favour of political expediency.

“It’s clear that the transition advocate will have an impossible task.”

Fresh data from agricultural economics researchers ABARES shows live sheep exports fell in 2023-24 to 507,000 but are forecast to tick up to 633,000 in the current financial year. However, this is less than a third of the level exports were at 10 years ago.

Mutton exports reached a record high of 237,000 tonnes in 2023-24 and are expected to increase again to 244,000 tonnes in the year to next June.

Lamb meat exports were also a record highs, both in number and value.

China — which also ended its final trade barriers on Australian beef on Tuesday — remains the largest market for mutton but the largest increase for sheepmeat exports was to the Middle East and North Africa.

This is the region the Government has suggested WA farmers can focus their export efforts on once shipping live animals is banned.

Ms Collins said the figures showed Australian farmers were punching above their weight.

“It’s especially heartening to see demand for our red meat increase. It shows there is room for these markets to grow and improve,” she said.