JOE HOCKEY: The Government came out with a balanced view after 24 hours and said we will stop sending live cattle to those questionable abattoirs. That was the right decision but they panicked.The reaction by the government was too fast and too severe.
We gave them bipartisan support at that point and then they panicked and banned all live exports and now you are seeing complete meltdown in northern Australian cattle industry with the price impact flowing through to the whole meat industry. (more)
But there's not a peep about Fielding's about face on child abuse regarding the request for an inquiry into the Heiner affair.
Barnaby Joyce has his say.