Farmers and livestock exporters have accused the government of "disrespecting agriculture" and vowed to target marginal Labor seats across Australia over a live sheep export ban.
The background: Labor vowed to end live sheep exports by sea as a 2022 election commitment, following animal rights concerns after thousands of sheep died of heat stress while en route to the Middle East.
The bill passed the Senate late on Monday night.
Supporters of the live export trade travelled to Canberra to lobby against the legislation, and say it will ruin businesses and regional towns.
Ben Sutherland from the Keep the Sheep campaign has criticised the government over the live sheep export legislation. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
"We tried to change the policy, but that hasn't worked. If we can't change the policy, we will change the government."
What else to know: The ban has been welcomed by animal rights groups, but the Opposition has vowed to overturn the legislation if re-elected.
What happens next: The legislation will mean , with a $107 million transition package to flow to affected farmers.
