New NT cattle boss appointed as David Connolly leaves with a bang

The NT Cattlemen’s Association has a new president. Read who it is and see what his predecessor thinks.

David Connolly’s three-year tenure as president of NT Cattlemen’s Association has ended, with the veteran pastoralist taking a shot at law-makers on his way out the door.

Mr Connolly made his final address to cattlemen at last week’s annual conference in Alice Springs, before handing over to his successor Henry Burke.

The president’s position is a single year with an option of two additional years, and Mr Connolly is leaving the position with a mixture of disappointment and relief.

“It’s a funny mix of feelings,” he said. “I’m disappointed to be leaving the role but I’m relieved at the good handover and know Henry will do a good job,” Mr Connolly said. “NTCA is bigger than any one person.

Retired NT Cattlemen's Association president David Connolly. Picture: Supplied

“It’s good to have new people coming in with new ideas and new energy and we really want to encourage new blood each time.”

Mr Connolly said the lowlight of his tenure was the inability to secure a payout on the class action that followed the Gillard Labor government’s 2011 decision to ban live cattle exports to Indonesia.

Following the federal court’s 2020 Judgment, the commonwealth offered cattlemen $215m to settle the class action, with the decision finding the ban “constituted malfeasance in public office” and ordered government to pay damages and costs.

The cattle industry through lead applicant in the case, the NT’s Brett Cattle Company, lodged a counter claim to settle for $510m plus interest and costs, which could take the total government payout to between $800m and $900m. Settlement is still to be reached.

“A lowlight has been trying hard but not seeing closure of the live export class action despite our best efforts,” he said.

NT Cattlemen's Association president Henry Burke.

“The biggest danger is for the pastoral industry to remain relevant in the eyes of state and federal governments. While we believe it’s a very relevant industry still, I think governments lose site of the fact our industry is 150 years old and incredibly relevant to the NT’s revenue. Government takes it for granted.

“There are increasingly tough environmental and Indigenous policies in place to simply produce food and look after animals and people. I think government loses site of the pastoral sector’s relevance if not reminded of it. It’s a billion-dollar industry in the Territory, a big employer and produces food.”

Mr Connolly said despite his own personal “esteem” for Federal Agricultural Minister Murray Watt, he was developing an unwanted reputation.

“Murray Watt continues to say same things, but we don’t see any action. Despite my own esteem for Murray Watt he’s starting to get a reputation as a man who talks and nothing happens in the wider industry.

Senator Murray Watt is a good bloke, but his delivery is questionable, David Connolly said, Picture: Amaani Siddeek

“You don’t just need a good bloke, but you need a good bloke who delivers what he’s said he’ll deliver. I worked with Murray for some time but he hasn’t delivered on the big promises.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Watt pointed to his work in biosecurity as a contribution to the NT’s industry.

Mr Burke has more than 40 years’ experience working in the NT pastoral industry,

including 37 years managing the 12,000 square kilometre Brunette Downs with the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) and is now employed as Consolidated Pastoral Company’s general manager in charge of their operations across Indonesia, the Territory and Queensland.

“It’s humbling to be supported by the members to take up the position of President,” Mr Burke said.

“I’ve been involved in the association for a long time and seen it grow from a small industry group in the distant north, to now being one of the leading voices for agriculture in Australia.”

“It’s a privilege to take on this position after having seen David’s enormous contribution over the past three years. I’m proud to step into his shoes and to continue the work.”