Lynn Simpson, who lives in Wodonga, concedes Ms Ley has been placed in a no-win position with her recent promotion to an assistant minister role following the recent change of prime minister.

Ms Ley had been the architect of a ban to the live sheep exports and threatened to cross the floor and support Labor on the issue, but with her newly minted role she would be forced to quit if she went ahead.

“She is really between a rock and a hard place and having worked in government myself there are often restrictions on people that the general public aren’t aware of,” Dr Simpson said.

“I know from my own experience I was vilified by many animal welfare groups for working inside the live export trade, but had I not been in that inner circle and had access to what was going on, I wouldn’t be as effective as I am now with my live export advocacy.

“I wouldn’t be casting judgment quickly.”

On Monday, Ms Ley and Victorian Liberal Sarah Henderson sided with the government to prevent a debate on a ban of the live export trade with the vote prevailing 72-70.

But, in a strong signal as to her eventual voting intentions, Indi MP Cathy McGowan voted with Labor to bring on debate of the crossbench bill.

A spokeswoman for Ms McGowan said she would await the release of the Moss Review which could tighten controls on exporters and the government’s response to the review.

“Cathy McGowan has quite a crucial position in the voting of this debate,” Dr Simpson said.

“It is only a small trade and not the massive behemoth the National Party and farmer organisations want to portray.

“I think Cathy is on the fence, but she is leaning towards a ban on live exports.

“I think she wasn’t.”

Dr Simpson said she has had input into the Moss Review expected to be handed down by agriculture minister David Littleproud later this week.