No promises on sheep export resolution (22 Mar 2025)
Article summary: Independent MP Kate Chaney has firmly rejected pressure from a grassroots campaign group, Keep the Sheep, asserting she will not be beholden to lobby groups or make binding commitments outside her responsibilities to constituents.
The group, led by discontented Western Australian farmers, issued an ultimatum demanding Chaney pledge to support a repeal of the Albanese Government’s planned phase-out of live sheep exports by May 2028. The group threatened a targeted campaign against her in Curtin if she did not meet their Friday deadline.
Ms Chaney previously supported the live export ban but reversed her position in June 2023, citing feedback from constituents. Despite now opposing the ban, she has declined to give an "iron-clad" guarantee that she would vote to repeal the legislation if re-elected. Responding to the campaign’s threat, she described the group’s approach as “unusual and inappropriate” and said the ultimatum was “a bit baffling” given her current stance.
Reiterating her independence, Chaney said: "With everything, I look at things on the merits at the time, but nothing has made me change my mind." She added: "I’m a community independent who’s answerable to my constituents, not to lobby groups. We get a lot of correspondence from a lot of different groups all the time. I prioritise my constituents." Her comments reinforce a consistent message that she evaluates issues based on community sentiment and the context at hand, rather than external pressures.
Chaney's refusal to be drawn into making definitive pledges reflects her broader political philosophy, particularly in relation to holding the balance of power. She has previously stated she would not use contentious issues—such as the approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf extension—as “bargaining chips” in the event of a hung parliament. Her stance positions her as a principled and pragmatic voice within the expanding independent movement.
On Friday, Ms Chaney acknowledged that the electoral impact of the Keep the Sheep campaign remains uncertain but downplayed its significance in light of broader concerns expressed by voters. She said: “Housing affordability and climate are more front of mind from voter feedback.”
Despite this, Keep the Sheep has vowed to escalate its campaign, accusing Chaney of failing to defend WA jobs and labelling her office’s response as inadequate. “It was a pretty disappointing response. Kate Chaney isn’t standing up for West Australian jobs,” a spokeswoman said. The group pledged to ramp up action in Curtin’s western suburbs from Saturday onwards.
The confrontation highlights the pressures independent MPs face from special interest groups, particularly in electorates where economic concerns such as live exports have deep regional resonance. For Chaney, the challenge lies in maintaining her integrity as a representative of her community while resisting attempts by lobbying groups to dictate policy positions. Her refusal to offer guarantees on future votes reinforces her commitment to independent, evidence-based decision-making.
Related article: Why I voted against the ban on live sheep export
