Hundreds of ‘Keep the Sheep’ protesters descend on Perth roads to protest against live sheep export ban

Hundreds of farmers and truckies are moving through Perth’s major arterial roads as they protest against the Federal Government’s live sheep export ban.

Four convoys left sites at Bedfordale, Mundijong, Neerabup and Fremantle at 7.30am and are crawling through the city to rally against the $80 million industry shutdown.

The fleets will follow a set route before gathering at Quarry Farm in Whitby about 10am.

Perth drivers were bracing themselves for peak hour chaos but Main Roads WA said there was “no major congestion”.

One local said the traffic was “better than usual”.

“I saw a few vans but Mounts Bay Road and the freeway were fine,” she said.

“It was the best traffic in a while.”

Another took to social media saying there was “zero congestion”.

“Literally zero congestion, they’re all sticking to the left lane and I got to work 20 minutes faster than usual through Kwinana,” they said.

Australian Live Exporters’ Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the industry shutdown — set to end by May 2028 — would cost about 3000 West Australian jobs.

“As the election draws near, we’re calling on people to stand with their fellow West Australians who just want to work in their productive businesses, run their IGAs, drive trucks and contribute to the economy,” he said.

“For too long, the Labor party has attempted to dismiss and suppress the voices of truckies, shearers, farmers and rural workers.

“We won’t be silenced.”

Miling sheep farmer Michelle Barnard and her seven-year-old son Kieran made the 200km trip to be among the crowd at the Neerabup starting point to show their “extreme disappointment”.

The Barnards – whose family has been farming in the Wheatbelt since 1907 - believe they will lose 25 per cent of their income if the ban goes ahead.

“We came to show our disappointment in the Labor Government, and that we want this ban to be overturned,” Ms Barnard said.

“Farmers in rural communities have had enough. The effect of this ban will be devastating.

“Farmers are feeling disheartened. Farming is a tough gig at the mercy of the weather, and now we have to fight the government too.

“All we want to do is get on and farm, and put food on people’s tables.”

Holding his sign at the front of the crowd, Kieran said he was “really proud” to be a farmers’ son.

“I want to be a farmer and a livestock truck driver,” he said.

“I came here to hold my sign and be the loudest voice out there.”

It wasn’t just Wheatbelt farmers among the crowd, with livestock truck driver Mick Tierney making the 850km journey from Mileura Station near Cue to show his support.

A farmers’ son from Kalannie originally, he said livestock trucking enabled his parents to put him and his sibling through boarding school.

“I know how important the sheep industry is,” he said.

“Our station cattle are exported from Fremantle on ships shared with sheep… so this ban would have an impact on pastoralists as well.”

Long-term friends Max Smith, Harvey Goudge and Wayne Briggs, were among the crowd clapping on the convoy as it departed Neerabup before joining in their trucks.

Mr Smith, a sheep farmer from Wannamal, said the trio were gravely concerned about the wider impact the live sheep export ban would have on regional and rural communities.

“When farming is damaged, the rest of us suffer… transporters, suppliers, repairers and mechanics, there is a flow on to small towns which are already struggling,” he said.

“A ban like this will have an enormous impact.”

The convoys will travel through multiple major roads including Kwinana Freeway, Mitchell Freeway, Stirling Highway, Canning Highway and Great Eastern Highway.

Main Roads WA said there were possible delays as the convoy makes its way to Whitby.

“Southern sections of Kwinana Freeway and Tonkin Highway, Thomas Road, Armadale Road, Leach Highway and South Western Highway,” a spokesperson said.

“Continue to be aware and patient.”

Roads impacted by the Keep the Sheep convoy:

• Mitchell Freeway
• Wellington Street
• Plane Street
• Hay Street
• Canning Highway
• Kwinana Freeway
• Armadale Road
• Tonkin Highway
• Thomas Road
• South West Highway
• Mounts Bay Road
• Barrack Street
• Riverside Drive
• The Causeway
• Port Beach Road
• Tydeman Road
• Queen Victoria Street
• Stirling Highway