Senator RHIANNON (  New South Wales ) ( 18:19 ): by leave—I present to the Senate a petition relating to live animal exports from the port of Townsville, from 2,676 citizens, which is not in conformity with standing orders. 

The alleged removal of a senior live export veterinarian from her job with the Department of Agriculture reveals the level of control the live export industry has over the Turnbull-Joyce government, Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

The ABC's 7.30 report "Vet removed for exposing appalling conditions on live export ships" was screened last night.

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.

Commenting on reports that Greyhound Racing NSW has charged 179 trainers and owners for allegedly exporting dogs to Macau, Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"The sheer scale of the number of trainers involved shows that this systemic abuse of the rules cant be fixed. This industry needs to be shut down.

"The ‘Canidrome" in Macau is a hell for dogs, with a 100% euthanasia rate. The fact that trainers have been exporting dogs despite a ban and perhaps even whilst the special commission of inquiry is investigating the industry is appalling.

Responding to today's report that monkeys are being experimented on in Australia, Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called for greater openness by the institutions involved and the government agencies that oversee the welfare of these animals.

"Research should not be secretive," Senator Rhiannon said.

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said: "This is the fifth time a live export ship carrying Australian animals has broken down in the last two years. This continuing cruelty of live exports is inexcusable.

"Temperatures are set to reach 37 degrees tomorrow in Fremantle. Each day the ship is stranded, means another day of agony for the sheep and cattle stuck on that ship.