AUSTRALIAN philanthropist and outspoken animal rights campaigner Philip Wollen has been named Fremantle-based Stop Live Exports’ first-ever patron.

Mr Wollen, a former Citibank vice-president and 2007 Victorian Australian of the Year, has spent decades funding animal, child and environmental projects in more than 50 countries.

“The suffering inherent in the live export is needless and avoidable,” Mr Wollen said. 

“Stop Live Exports has shown courage, integrity and persistence for many years and I’m honoured to support their work, so that together we can consign this abominable trade to history.”

• Philip Wollen

He didn’t mince words: “Let’s make no mistake about it, live animal export is not an industry, it’s an atrocity and it needs to end immediately.”

Stop Live Exports president and former WA politician Lisa Baker said his backing would help ramp up the group’s campaign.

“Philip’s decision to stand with us is a powerful endorsement of our mission,” she said. 

“His support will help us expand our investigations, increase our advocacy and grow our compassionate national movement to ultimately end the suffering of animals embroiled in the horrors of the live export trade.”

Stop Live Exports has been campaigning from Fremantle for years, arguing for an end to the practice it says causes unacceptable cruelty to animals.

The Albanese government’s ban on live sheep exports by sea is set to begin May 1, 2028.