EXCLUSIVEI'm a farmer and I travelled 3000km to speak to Anthony Albanese. He made me so angry I had to storm out of Parliament
A sheep farmer who travelled more than 3000km to protest Labors live export ban on sheep stormed out of Parliament House because he was sick of the contempt towards farmers by Anthony Albanese.
A sheep farmer who travelled more than 3000km to protest Labors live export ban on sheep stormed out of Parliament House because he was sick of the contempt towards farmers by Anthony Albanese.
Steve McGuire, the vice president of WA Farmers, travelled from his sheep station in Kojonup, south of Perth, to Canberra on Tuesday to stand alongside about 1000 others at the Keep the Sheep rally in front of Parliament House.
The demonstration was in response to new laws that passed parliament in July to phase out Australias live sheep trade over a four-year period, with a complete ban in place by May 2028.
Farmers are furious, saying their homes and livelihoods are at stake, and travelled by the busload from all over the country to make the government listen to their concerns.
Many attended Question Time at 2pm in the hope the Prime Minister would acknowledge them and the many grievances they expressed earlier in the day, but situation did not go to plan.
Mr Albanese said live exports decreased by $1.5million while the Coalition was in power, and explained his government was investing $107 million to support and orderly and well-planned transition away from what is an already declining trade.
From the public gallery, one farmer yelled speak up please! and another screamed, bulls**t! - both were quickly escorted from the building by security, along with another who flicked his middle finger at Sydney Teal MP Zali Steggall.
Mr McGuire was one of the 50 other farmers who voluntarily got up and left, telling Daily Mail Australia the cohort was fed up with the government treating us poorly.
Pictured: Steve McGuire, a sheep farmer who travelled from Western Australia to Canberra for the rally
Pictured: Anthony Albanese in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon
You can tell when Albanese is trying to smooth something over because he starts speaking quietly, and thats what he was doing, Mr McGuire said.
I could see it on his face - Im so sick of the contempt.
They dont think we matter, but you need a farmer three times a day - we make your food.
He said the rally was an attempt to bring awareness to the people of Australia that the government is treating us poorly, and suggested failing to amend the laws would cost Labor seats in the forthcoming election.
We dont live in marginal seats, he said. We matter.
Another farmer said he completely understood why someone yelled at the PM.
Sheep on those export boats are actually treated really well, theres one girl I know who looks after them and she was so angry when this happened, but they dont know that, he said.
Its extremely frustrating.
Mr Albanese told the House of Representatives that he had met with farmers during the day and listened to their concerns, but he did not attend the rally.
Instead, he posed for photos on the parliament courtyard with Labor caucus.
The mass walk-out was triggered by a question Nationals leader David Littleproud asked Mr Albanese.
About 1000 farmers turned up at the Keep the Sheep rally on Tuesday (pictured)
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is pictured addressing the crowd, alongside David Littleproud, Jacinta Price, Bridget McKenzie, Michaelia Cash, and other Coalition members
He asked: If the Government continues with its ban on live sheep exports, Sudan is one country that will take up Australias share of this market.
Prime minister, who has higher animal welfare standards - Sudan or Australia?
Mr Albanese said laws passed parliament, and accused the Coalition of playing politics.
Over the decade the Liberals and Nationals were in government, live sheep exports by sea decreased by over $1.5 million. That is just a fact of what occurred, he said.
We are giving certainty to sheep producers and supply chain by legislating the phase-out and investing $107 million to support and orderly and well-planned transition away from what is an already declining trade.
Mr Littleproud and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addressed the roaring crowd when the demonstration was at its peak around midday.
Both promised to repeal the ban if the Coalition is voted into government at the next election.
