NTCA calls for $5 million Livestock Ranger squad to help police Territory’s pasture industry
A NEW form of watchdog is being developed for the cattle industry, with hopes of greater protection, inspection and security for animals and stockmen
Northern Territory
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A NEW form of watchdog is being developed for the cattle industry, with hopes of greater protection, inspection and security for animals and stockmen.
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The Livestock Ranger scheme, proposed by Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) chief executive Ashley Manicaros, would deliver – among other things – motor vehicle registration and licensing services for the pastoral sector and Indigenous communities.
The rangers, who would operate with a budget of about $5m, would receive a percentage of the MVR registrations processed to fund their operations.
The service would also operate on “fee for service” arrangements through registrations and licensing on cattle stations and Indigenous communities and would rely on “in-kind support” for resources such as office space.
While last weekend’s shooting of 30 horses at Killarney Station could be a catalyst for the program, the NTCA has pursued a stock squad for more than a decade and Mr Manicaros said there were other instances of criminal activity within the industry.
“We’ve actually had other reports, isolated reports mainly in the Top End, where livestock have been randomly shot from fence lines,” he said.
The rangers would also complement the current NT Police, who would be able to better use their existing resources.
“(One of the) aims would be to register all roadworthy vehicles and license as many people in regional and remote areas,” Mr Manicaros said.
“This releases the service currently undertaken by NT Police, which would then be able to use their resources for enforcement and not regulation.”
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The scheme would be headed by an NT Livestock commissioner and would then see a senior ranger take charge of 16 rangers, four each based in Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek.
Police continue to investigate last Sunday’s incident.
Originally published as NTCA calls for $5 million Livestock Ranger squad to help police Territory’s pasture industry