Australia’s cattle industry has rebounded from the live ban five years ago but it still remains fragile according to its peak industry body.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the live cattle ban which is now the subject of a $500 million class action.
The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association is facilitating the class action, which is being led by Brett’s Cattle Company owners of Waterloo Station near the Western Australia border.
The June 7, 2011 ban crippled the industry, severely damaging the relationship between Australia and Indonesia following the broadcast of an Four Cornersreport which alleged systemic animal cruelty.
A statement lodged in the Federal Court alleges that an “export control order” made by then Labor Agriculture Minister, Senator Joe Ludwig, on June 7, 2011 — restricting exports to Indonesia for six months — was “invalid”. An earlier claim was rejected by the Australian government solicitor in May 2012.
NTCA chief executive officer Tracey Hayes said the industry had rebounded but said this was superficial.
“On the surface things look more positive, however we do not have to dig far to find that underlying debt levels remain high for many businesses and this situation will only improve with a sustained improvement in the market,” she said. “For many, business reserves have not been replenished, and the focus is now on regaining balance sheet health, provisioning for superannuation, succession and capital investment.”
Ms Hayes said the NTCA is not a party to the action but facilitating the process with the assistance of the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund.
“The AFFF have contributed $3 million to date and it simply would not have been possible without its assistance,” she said. “The legal process of discovery revealed in excess of 40,000 documents and the practical on-ground evidence is overwhelming. There are many and varied businesses involved in the action. We believe we have strong and meaningful prospect of success.
“Our preference is for the Government to come to the table and resolve out of court. They are acutely aware of the pain and loss suffered as a result of a poorly informed and rushed decision and we believe a long and expensive drawn out legal case is not right.”
Senator Ludwig was contacted by the NT News for comment.
Source : NT News
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