Senator RHIANNON: Dr Richards, can you confirm that NICNAS accepts non-animal test data on cosmetics or their ingredients that are generated in accordance with standard test methods such as the European Commission directive?

Greens spokesperson on animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon commenting on Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce's plan to expand Australia's live export trade into Iran said:

"Minister Barnaby Joyce is looking after a few wealthy pastoralists ahead of jobs growth in regional Australia.

"Expanding the live export trade into Iran is not about assisting farmers and rural communities.

"Minister Joyce is putting his sectional interests before the economic health of regional and rural Australia.

Senator RHIANNON: Recent developments are showing that there is a lack of consequences for exporters, such as Livestock Shipping Services, who fail in their duty of care towards livestock. How do you explain the lack of serious consequences for exporters, such as LSS, who have been investigated for fraud and ongoing welfare issues?

Lee successfully moves for the Agriculture Minister to table all documents related to Livestock Shipping Services (LSS).

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:43): I move:

Commenting on the 7.30 report about allegations of falsified documents within the live export industry, Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said: 

"Very serious allegations against a senior official within the live export trade system have been raised. It is crucial that these are now investigated thoroughly by the Australian Federal Police. 

This piece was first published by the Farm Weekly on 3 April 2014.

WHIPPING up a tirade about the Greens and their “extremist backers” supposedly holding producers to “ransom” over the live export trade might work for Mr Joyce’s fondness for colourful language but it does nothing to address the needs of rural communities.

His public response to the Greens Bill to end the live export trade and the disallowance motion to prevent the recommencement of the trade in livestock with Egypt has been short on rational analysis and big on abuse.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (12:07): I move:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the export Control Act 1982 to prohibit the export of live animals for slaughter, and for related purposes.

Question agreed to.

The federal government’s decision to restart the live export trade to Egypt will shock Australians and will cause suffering to exported animals Green animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said today.

Next week the Greens will reintroduce their bill in the Senate to legislate against live exports. 

Senator Rhiannon said: “Australians have not forgotten the horrific footage last year of cruelty inflicted upon cattle in Egypt that resulted in a halt to the export trade with that country.

MEDIA RELEASE
17 March 2014

Greens introduce legislation to end cruel cosmetics

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Rhiannon will introduce a bill to 
• ban the testing and sale of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients that have been tested on animals in Australia 
• ban the import and sale of cosmetic products tested on animals.  

The bill modifies existing legislation (Industrial Chemicals Act 1989). 

Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt said: “Today is a great day for animals and for Australian consumers. 

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:52): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.
I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows-