Bound at their feet, they are forced to watch their mates die slowly and painfully in front of them.
One by one, they squirm and writhe in agony as a blunt knife saws back and forth across their throats.
Their scream-like bellows of suffering sound almost human and fill the Indonesian abattoir until just one is left standing.
The last of the cattle trembles violently. He knows his fate, but is helpless to avoid the same slow and painful demise.
He shakes uncontrollably – his fear is palpable – and it’s as if his heart stops before they even begin making the first cruel cut.
Sitting on the couch, I was writhing and squirming too watching the hideous scenes unfold on last week’s Four Corners program feeling shocked, outraged and emotional.
And the next day the response is incredible – it’s no longer just those “animal-loving Greenies” calling for a ban on live exports, but Australians across the board; from city dwellers to cattle farmers themselves, united in outrage after witnessing some of the most confronting scenes ever seen on Australian TV.
On talkback radio switchboards lit up as caller after caller expressed anger and resentment, confusion, disbelief and sadness on behalf of literally millions of Australian animals who are crowded onto bulk carriers to face a gruesome death in horrifyingly painful and inhumane circumstances.
And they have many questions: how can this happen? Why does it happen? And why is nothing being done to stop it?
For the live export industry, at least, the writing may at last be on the wall.
The message is out there in the mainstream media: overseas abattoirs cannot be trusted to kill Australian cattle humanely.
But the problem stretches further than Indonesia and the killing of cattle and the Government needs to get real about that. These animals might have left our shores, but that does not mean we are suddenly devoid of all responsibility.
Whilst millions of cattle and sheep are sent off on one last terminal voyage, the jobs of Australian meat workers are exported as well.
With each shipload sent thousands of miles away to face an abominably cruel fate, Aussie jobs are likewise sacrificed.
Last year alone 1000 jobs were lost in Australia and the Meatworkers Union say the live export trade is a major contributor.
The chilled meat industry is already worth triple the live export trade, so growing the chilled, frozen and processed meat export trade will only create jobs, value add onshore and maintain economic viability for producers.
It is time to look to win-win solutions and recognise the economic benefits banning the live export trade will have.
Let’s invest in the economic opportunities for Australian workers and stop the cruelty.
It is my great hope that Australians of all political and religious persuasions will unite in supporting a ban on the live exportation of all animals.
Tomorrow I’ll be introducing a motion calling on the South Australian Government to play its part in stopping this cruel and despicable trade. Let’s hope the Rann Government not only watched the Four Corners program, but recognise that this problem stretches further afield than Indonesia, yet the solution can start here at home with us.
Join the National Day of Action to End Live Exports rally in your capital city. The SA event will be held outside Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide from noon.
Tammy's Blog 