The Keep the Sheep convoy hits the road in Perth today.

LEADING animal protection organisations have urged the Liberal-National Coalition to turn back from its promise to reverse the Albanese Government’s legislated plan to end live sheep exports by sea in 2028.

As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today called a May 3 election and Keep the Sheep proponents embarked on a convoy protest into Western Australia’s capital city Perth, the organisations have claimed the Coalition continues to ignore strong public consensus to end live sheep exports.

The organisations said the Coalition is “pandering to the aggressive tactics of the live export lobby by pledging to reverse the phase-out if elected and allow the cruel trade to continue.”

The joint statement came as the National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the convoy is a final warning from the WA agricultural community that they refuse to be used as a political trading card.

WA-based not-for-profit Stop Live Exports, Animals Australia and the Australian Alliance for Animals have banded together to highlight RSPCA survey results where more than seven in 10 respondents supported the phase-out of live sheep exports, including 71 percent of Western Australians and 69pc of voters living in rural and regional WA that responded.

Stop Live Exports WA spokesperson Ruth Gourley said the Coalition’s vow to reverse the live sheep export phase-out actively defies the wishes of most Australians.

“As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the Coalition is positioning itself against a reform that has strong public backing and makes economic sense,” she said.

“A noisy minority with vested interests is campaigning to overturn the legislation, but they stand in stark contrast to the overwhelming majority of Australians, who want to see this cruel trade end because they want better protection for the welfare of animals.

“Investigations over the years have consistently exposed the cruel handling and slaughter of Australian sheep overseas, contradicting exporter’s repeated assurances of welfare improvements,” Ms Gourley said.

“Transitioning from live sheep exports to chilled and frozen sheep meat presents significant economic growth opportunities for Australia, particularly for WA.”

Alliance for Animals’ policy director Dr Jed Goodfellow said most voters are not fully aware that the Coalition plans to reverse the phase-out of live sheep exports.

“For many Australians, this issue was considered resolved through legislation last year – it’s surprising that the Coalition plans to resurrect this barbaric practice that most voters don’t support.

“An overwhelming majority of Australians support the legislated phase-out of live sheep exports by 2028, which includes nearly $140 million to help affected supply chains transition towards a more ethical and economically viable alternative,” he said.

“Reversing the phase-out won’t revitalise the diminishing live sheep export trade—it will only disrespect the majority of Australians while denying affected sheep producers crucial support to transition and invest in sustainable alternatives.

“Vowing to reverse the live sheep export phase-out is not a vote winner,” Dr Goodfellow said.

“As election day rapidly approaches, MPs and candidates of all parties still have the opportunity to champion a more ethical, sustainable future that reflects the values of the Australian public.”

Mr Jochinke said the NFF stands in full support of WA farmers, shearers, truckies and rural and regional communities today and will continue to call for the ban on live sheep exports to be repealed, an integral part of our federal election platform to secure Australia’s farming future.