Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has labelled the Prime Minister “completely out of touch” following his hurtful comments about live exports at an agricultural awards night.

The Prime Minister shocked an AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award gala dinner at Parliament House, saying he had dined with the Indonesian President-Elect earlier, stating “when we had dinner, beautiful Australian beef, not the live export, we made sure it was dead”.

Mr Littleproud said he had been contacted by farmers across the country, including campaigners from Keep the Sheep, who are extremely upset by the comment.

“Why the Prime Minister would choose the AgriFutures awards – a night celebrating our agriculture industry – to mock our industries is beyond me,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Farmers were already planning a rally outside Parliament House on September 10 to highlight the contempt they have been shown by Labor. The Prime Minister’s comments only reiterate how let down and betrayed our farmers feel and if anything, farmers will now be even more encouraged and energised to join the rally.

“The Nationals will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers at the Parliament House Keep the Sheep rally, because we support our farmers and our live sheep export industry.”

WA Livestock and Rural Transporters president and Keep the Sheep spokesperson Ben Sutherland said he felt betrayed and hurt.

“I am disgusted to the core,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Labor throws rural communities into the wind and continually keeps laughing about it. It’s no joke, in my eyes it’s quite scary to have a government that doesn’t care about regional Australia.

“We feel betrayed. The Prime Minister is not listening to rural Australia, he is taking us for granted. He has got no concept of what he is doing to rural Australia. He is destroying industries and lives and livelihoods, with no real consequence or guilt of his own conscious.”

Australia Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton said The Prime Minister’s comments showed he didn’t understand the industry and it was another insult to Keep the Sheep campaigners and farmers.

“For the Prime Minister to be making light of the demise of live exports at a rural industry dinner, mere weeks after passing the devastating live sheep ban, shows an astounding lack of judgement and complete disregard for rural Australia and the families that are hurting as a result of their government’s poor decisions,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Export by Sea) Bill 2024 was passed in the House of Representatives and a vote for a Senate inquiry into the issue was also voted down in July.

Mr Littleproud pointed out the Prime Minister’s released speech was at odds with what he actually said and the Prime Minister also told the audience the agricultural industry is “so important for the relationship with Indonesia”.

“It’s shameless the Prime Minister can mock the phase out of the live sheep export trade and in the next breath, declare how important agriculture is,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Labor is still unable to explain the science behind closing the industry because Labor’s phase out decision is based on ideology.”




The Prime Minister's Sppeech

"It’s an honour to be here among so many incredible leaders, and so many incredible women.

Tonight we honour the extraordinary achievements of rural Australia's women leaders. This is a night to recognise excellence — and to celebrate resilience.

A lot is asked of rural and regional communities like yours. 

We ask you to grapple with geography in a way most Australians will never have to. But in facing these challenges — the volatility of the weather, the tyranny of distance —
you show us what you’re made of.

You show us how you work together.

How you look out for those around you.

And how you push for a better future for the places you live in and love. One of the many privileges of this job is that it takes you to every part of our great country.

On many occasions, I’ve visited regional communities dealing with natural disasters and  their aftermath.

In those, very worst of times you see the best of the Australian character. The kindness and the courage that binds rural communities together. 

And the same bravery and determination that reveals itself in adversity – can be seen in  the success stories we celebrate tonight.

Tonight we honour your extraordinary achievements.

As producers, leaders, entrepreneurs, creators.

Your stories are as rich and diverse as the land you work on.

Whether you’re embracing sustainability and contributing to our drive towards net zero or  seizing the possibilities of the digital economy or nurturing people and places to be healthy  and strong.

Your courage and determination drives you to make your ideas a reality. But it’s your creativity which sets you apart.

If you’re Belle Binder, you’re inspired by working on Australia’s farms and making sure a  steady flow of workers get to experience it.

For Tanya Egerton, it’s about seeing the “opportunity” in op-shops, and helping First  Nations communities participate in the circular economy.

For Kate Lamason, who on discovering 99% of tuna consumed in Australia came from  overseas, co-founded a company using sustainable, Australian-caught seafood.

Rebecca Keeley’s driving force is ensuring rural Australians have easier access to  healthcare.

Nikki Atkinson is turning our beautiful Merino wool into wedding dresses and formal wear.

Grace Larson is helping kids in the bush get better health outcomes and helping their  parents learn CPR and first aid.

Mandy Walker with her work in engineering and heavy duty diesel repairs, is helping boost  the economic resilience of her community.

Australia’s regions are full of stories like yours.

Of women rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in.

Investing in the future of their communities.

And strengthening the future of our nation.

As for that future, I want Australia to be more self-reliant — to stand on our own two feet. And I want to make sure every part of our country shares in the opportunities ahead. That’s what my Government’s plan for A Future Made in Australia is all about.

Driving new investment in making things here.

Seizing the opportunities that come from the move to renewable energy. Creating an economy that is more diversified and resilient.

And bringing a new wave of industry and opportunity to our regions and suburbs alike. And I’m pleased there are so many here tonight who share that ambition.

We want every Australian – in every part of our country - to share in the opportunities  ahead.

That means drawing on the talents of our whole population.

This is why we’ve put women at the centre of our economic plans.

That’s no accident - we’re the first government in Australian history to have a majority of  female members.

Everywhere across our agenda — from lifting wages, to closing the gender pay gap, to  paying super on paid parental leave — we're looking to create a better deal for women and  girls.

This work is being done right across government — not just by me or the Minister for  Women, Katy Gallagher, or our new Assistant Minister for Women, Kate Thwaites but  every minister, every day.

And it’s also why I’m here tonight.

To our finalists and winners — congratulations!

You remind us how important rural and regional areas are to our economy and our identity  and our Australian story.

Backing the people and places you live in and love takes hard work and determination. But  the benefits are beyond measure.

Thank you for everything you do — and have a wonderful evening."