An independent inquiry proposed into Australia’s recent decision to allow further US beef import has been denied.
Nationals leader David Littleproud had questioned whether the decision was truly based on biosecurity or to appease Donald Trump amid his tariffs regime and demanded an independent review.
The proposal was put forward by Nationals Senator Matt Canavan on Thursday but voted down 33-27.
Nationals, Liberals, Independents Fatima Payman and David Pocock, and One Nation Senators had voted for an inquiry while Labor and Greens opposed it.
The government said the decision to lift the import ban on US beef was based on science.
While Australia has allowed beef imports from the US since 2019, there has been a long-standing ban on US beef imports—specifically meat from cattle born in Canada or Mexico but slaughtered in America.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Trade Minister Don Farrell had said it came after a science-based biosecurity review and strict standards remained in place. They argued the decision’s timing amid tariff threats wasn’t suspicious.