JUNE 5 2011 Page 23

Rally callsfor animalexport banKelmeny Fraser

MEAT workers, farmers andanimal welfare activists hit thestreets yesterday to demandan end to live animal exports.

Almost 100 people rallied inIpswich, venting their angerover the cruel treatment ofcattle exported to Indonesia,as seen in graphic footage.

Animal welfare workersvowed bigger protests wouldfollow in most capital citiesacross Australia on June 18.

It comes as some beef pro-ducers and abattoir ownersjoin a campaign to pressurethe Federal Government tohalt all exports.

Federal Agriculture Minis-ter Joe Ludwig banned exportsto 11 Indonesian abattoirs afteranimal cruelty there was re-vealed last week.

But RSPCA spokesmanMichael Beatty told protestersyesterday the ban did not gofar enough, saying the cattlewould simply be sent to otherIndonesian abattoirs.

‘‘LiveCorp and the FederalGovernment had 18 years toget it right in Indonesia,’’ hesaid. ‘‘Far from things improv-ing, you would have to saythey have gone backwards.’’

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Trackside: Spotted at Queensland Oaks Day at EagleFarm were (from far left) Natalie Lynn and NatalinaFord; Luke Mitchell and Rebecca Breeds; and thewinner of Fashions in the Field, Tanya Lazarou.Pictures: Jono Searle

IT’S been four days since winter officially began

and the Queensland sun is still going strong,

drawing thousands out to events across the

state yesterday.

At Brisbane’s South Bank, the weather proved

perfect for the official opening of the precinct’s

latest riverfront green, the 1700sq m River Bend.

Premier Anna Bligh said it was inspiring to

have the space open so soon after the floods.

‘‘It’s been a tough time, but Brisbane’s love

affair with the river is not over,’’ she said.

Downstream, almost 10,000 punters and

fashionistas flocked to the Queensland Oaks Day

at Eagle Farm, where elegant winter fashions

brought a cool touch to the proceedings.

Across the river, thousands more turned out to

the annual Crackerjack Carnival at Carina and

enjoyed the mini ‘‘royal show’’ in the suburbs.

The three-day festival, which continues today

at the Clem Jones Centre, is in its 35th year and

has many of the attractions enjoyed at the Ekka.

The southeast should enjoy temperatures in

the low-20s with clear skies until Thursday,

when showers could develop along the coast,

accompanied by a cooler change.

The Granite Belt will have early frosts in

coming days, with early drizzle further north

between Rockhampton and Cooktown.

Anthony Gough and Samantha Healy