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Environment | May 16, 2017

Labors sabotage of Kangaroo Pet Food trial costs local jobs

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says the Andrews Labor Government is sabotaging the Kangaroo Pet Food Trial by refusing to provide information to enable kangaroo skins to be exported, costing local jobs.

“After nine months the Andrews Labor Government has done absolutely nothing to supply required information to the Federal Government so that approval to export kangaroo skins can be granted,” Ms Kealy said.

“Labor’s continued delay in supplying required information has led to the suspension of an expansion of the Hamilton Pet Food abattoir, which would have created new jobs in the region.

“60 local job losses are looming with the closure of Iluka later this year so the Andrews Labor Government should be making every effort to support and create local jobs.

“Instead, Daniel Andrews appears to be sabotaging the Kangaroo Pet Food Trial in a desperate attempt to appease inner-city Greens voters at the expense of country people and local jobs,” she said.

Emma Kealy MP spoke in Parliament this week calling on the Minister for Environment to provide required information including a Kangaroo Management Plan to the Federal Government so that approval for Wildlife Trade Operations can be granted.

“It is essential that pet food processors can export kangaroo skins to international markets to minimise waste and ensure the business case stacks up,” Ms Kealy said.

“The benefits of processing carcasses for pet food rather than burying them has stopped unnecessary waste, created valuable local jobs and a new niche market for high quality pet food.

“It is important to note, the Kangaroo Pet Food Trial has not increased the total number of kangaroos permitted to be harvested under licence.

“Under the Andrews Labor Government we have seen unemployment in rural Victoria skyrocket and I will continue to work hard to ensure the city centric Labor Government does not forget the importance of these local jobs for country people,” she said.