Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General on Queensland Floods Recovery) (14:01): I thank Senator Back for his interest in this industry. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Conroy: We will just juice them up— Senator LUDWIG: There is only one pat on the other side, and you take the hat on that. The PRESIDENT: Let's just get down to the question. Ignore the interjections, both sides. Senator LUDWIG: What I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by those on the other side is that this government is working diligently to ensure that the trade can be put back into place whilst maintaining appropriate animal welfare outcomes. Those on the other side are all at sea in relation to this point. They do not know whether they want animal welfare outcomes to be upheld or not. What they are arguing for is simply that the trade should resume immediately without taking into account animal welfare outcomes. Those on this side of the chamber want to ensure that we can do both. I do understand the impacts that are being felt across the Northern Territory and Western Australia. And to that end we have written to Meat and Livestock Australia to ensure that they can provide $5 million worth of compensation for that industry and to provide onshore assistance for feed and watering. Those on the other side are adopting— Senator Ian Macdonald: It is your decision, not theirs! Senator Conroy: You don't know what you are talking about! The PRESIDENT: The time for debating this is at the end of question time. If senators wish to do that then, they are most entitled to. Senator Ludwig, will you continue, please? Senator LUDWIG: Of course, those on the other side simply want the trade to commence without the welfare of animals taken into account. What the other side says is that the government made the decision. That is correct: the government made the decision in the face of animal welfare abuse that no-one on the other side would say is acceptable practice. No-one on this side says it is acceptable practice. Senator Brandis: Senator Back cares a lot more for the welfare of animals than you do! Senator Ian Macdonald: You've known about it for six months and sat on your hands! Senator LUDWIG: Those on the other side, of course, are in fact cat-calling out. Now we hear— (Time expired)