Deputy Speaker,

The LIVEXchange conference is on in my hometown of Darwin today.

Australia’s live cattle export trade contributes more than $1 billion to our national economy each year, employs 1,527 people, with over 80 per cent of these jobs in Northern Australia.

In the last financial year, 240,000 cattle were exported from the Port of Darwin.

And that rises to more than 1.7 million cattle exported since 2017.

As a Territorian, I’m proud to celebrate this industry and reaffirm the Albanese Labor Government’s support of the live cattle industry.

From the cattle stations to the export yards in Berrimah to ships at the Port of Darwin, the live cattle trade is essential to the Northern Territory’s economy.

Just like the industry members gathered in Darwin today, the Albanese Government is focused on strengthening Australia’s markets for our quality meat produce.

We’re doing that through investments in our biosecurity system, livestock traceability, trade, drought resilience, and much, much more.

I send my best wishes to the industry representatives at the LIVEX conference in Darwin.

On behalf of the Government, we look forward to working together to strengthen Australia’s live cattle industry.

Thanks Deputy Speaker.