The federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has been referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and a formal complaint lodged over breaches under the Privacy Act, for its bungled handling of serious and illegal animal cruelty at the Game Meats Company (GMC) slaughterhouse in Eurobin, Victoria. 

In May 2024, animal protection organisation Farm Transparency Project (FTP) submitted an urgent report to DAFF regarding the operations at the slaughterhouse, after hidden camera footage revealed daily cruelty towards goats. DAFF is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with animal welfare standards at export-accredited slaughterhouses such as the Eurobin facility. 

Instead of commencing an investigation, documents tendered in the Federal Court reveal that a DAFF employee tipped off the facility's managers, forwarding the report - which included the private details of the report's author - and later warning, and offering PR advice, when a local TV news station began asking questions. The tipoff enabled GMC to obtain an injunction, preventing the footage of its operations being published. 

Court documents further reveal that the DAFF-employed On-Plant Veterinarian at the slaughterhouse, whose role included identifying and correcting animal welfare breaches, had been submitting false weekly reports indicating that there were none. 

While a formal investigation was never conducted by DAFF, a spokesperson has since claimed that "regulatory action" had been taken in November 2024. DAFF has, however, refused to specify what that action was, even when pressed through a Freedom of Information request. 

FTP's Executive Director, Chris Delforce: "This is about as blatant as corruption can get. A DAFF employee has tipped off his mates at the slaughterhouse in an effort to shield them, and DAFF, from any repercussions for their horrific treatment of goats. I can't think of a better example of just how inappropriate it is for the department responsible for ensuring the profitability of the animal slaughter industry, to also be responsible for animal welfare."

The injunction preventing the footage from being published, while initially struck down by the Federal Court, was in August 2025 upheld on appeal, on the basis that if the footage of GMC's cruel and illegal operations were to be made public, it may negatively affect their reputation and profits. The matter is currently the subject of a special leave application to the High Court.