BREAKING: Live export horror - Turnbull must act

Commenting on tonight's ABC report that shows exported Australian cattle sledgehammered to death, Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"The ABC report of the most horrific treatment of live export cattle is sickening, heart breaking and beyond belief.

"Prime Minister Turnbull must respond to Animal Australia's call for urgent intervention to stop this horror.

"The history of breaches and lack of action shows the Department of Agriculture is incapable of regulating the live export trade. The Department is inherently conflicted as it is charged with promoting live exports and overseeing the treatment of the animals exported.

"The Department's regulatory powers must be moved to an independent body.

"It's now been five years since Four Corners screened shocking abuses of cattle exported from Australia. Yet nothing has change.

"This footage reveals that the abuse of animals exported from Australia has become worse.

"Animals Australia has done a great service to animal welfare by exposing these crimes.

"If it weren't for the Animal Australia investigators who take serious risks in exposing these unimaginable animal abuse horrors, we would have no idea what their government was allowing.

"Despite extensive evidence of ongoing breaches and failures no export company has been prosecuted by the government under Labor or the Coalition.

"The Greens have long been calling for the independent Office of Animal Welfare to review and monitor live exports and the regulatory body ESCAS, and review and report on all federal animal welfare policy and issues.

"Prime Minister Turnbull must ensure that the company responsible for these live export horrors is held accountable. To remain silent is to be complicit.

"When parliament resumes after the election the Greens will again introduce our bill to end live exports," Senator Rhiannon said.

Contact: Brami Jegan 0433054712