Appeal for compensation says entire northern Australia economy was affected by 2011 decision to ban live cattle exports to Indonesia.
Participants in a new class action against the Federal Government’s live cattle export ban say they have a strong case to present.
Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) CEO Tracey Hayes says the ban on all exports to Indonesia took place during the peak export season and left many businesses reeling.
The ban affected cattle stations, livestock transporters and agricultural suppliers.
“A range of businesses are involved [in the class action],” Hayes tells ATN.
The NTCA has funded the legal challenge for compensation on behalf of some of its members.
Hayes notes that the class action participants appreciated the animal cruelty concerns behind the ban – and were supportive of the first control order that prevented export to 12 specific abattoirs identified as having unethical practices.
It was a second control order, issued by then agriculture minister Joe Ludwig, which stopped all exports to Indonesia, regardless of the final destination.
“When the [second] ban was called, cattle just stopped moving,” Hayes says.
“There were cattle already on the road, and even on the water, that had to change direction.”
Hayes says many shipments found new destinations south and east, but all businesses involved – the transport providers in particular – faced uncertainty in terms of what they would be paid, and when.
The class action statement of claim argues this caused unnecessary upheaval across the industry and its supply chain.
“At the time of making the second control order, Minister Ludwig knew that prohibiting live exports to Indonesia would create serious on-farm problems, cause loss of income and cash-flow issues for producers, and impact on investment in regional north Australia,” the statement says.
Road Trains Australia – the largest transporter involved in the class action – did not respond to a request for comment.