NT politicians’ call for quick resolution to live export compensation claim

The head of the Northern Territory’s cattle industry has welcomed bipartisan calls for an urgent resolution to the long running compensation battle over Labor’s 2011 live export ban.

The head of the Northern Territory’s cattle industry has welcomed government calls for an urgent resolution to the long running compensation battle over Labor’s 2011 live export ban.

At the NT News Ag Leaders Debate Agriculture Minister Mark Monaghan said “it’s been going on way too long”.

“That’s why I’ve approached the Ag ministers (to say) I back a very expedient resolution to this,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Mark Monaghan at the NT News Ag Leaders Debate in Katherine on 22 July, 2024. Picture: Fia Walsh

Earlier this month federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus wrote to the National Farmers’ Federation to say the government would not budge on its $215m offer, which he said represented a large lift in profits from 2011-12.

Mr Dreyfus said the claim for $500m plus interest and costs could not be reconciled with the industry’s historic performance, accusing cattle farmers of attempting to line their pockets at the taxpayers’ expense.

Speaking at the Ag debate in Katherine on Monday, Burt from Kalala Station said the Attorney-General’s comments were “deeply hurtful”, and asked what help was being provided to resolve the decade-long lawsuit.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Joshua Burgoyne at the NT News Ag Leaders Debate in Katherine on 22 July, 2024. Picture: Fia Walsh

NT Shadow Agriculture Minister Josh Burgoyne said the offer put forward by the Commonwealth was “far below what people deserve”.

“There were people that were told overnight that they weren’t allowed to do what they’d done for decades,” he said.

“All we’re arguing about is how much money we should give those people for the absolute hurt, for the loss, that they incurred.

“It needs to be sorted.”

NT Cattlemen's Association CEO Will Evans. Picture: Fia Walsh

The NT Cattlemen’s Association said it was heartening to see bipartisan support from Territory politicians.

“The significance of both representatives of each party providing strong support for the resolution to the class action, and strong support for the northern live export industries, was critical – especially given what we see happening at the federal level,” chief executive Will Evans said.

“Certainly Mr Monaghan’s call to see a resolution to the class action I thought was really important.”