Territory cattle producers sweat on live export ban compo payout

A bumper end to 2024 has opened the way for a promising new year for a key industry sector. But it’s not all good.

The federal agriculture department has revised upwards the total number of cattle shipped from Darwin Port in the year to December 31, 2024.

It was initially recorded as 363,000 head of cattle exported from Darwin in 2024, about 100,000 more than 2023.

But revised figures from the Department of Agruciulture, Fisheries and Forestry showed 378,033 head of cattle were exported, most of those to Indonesia.

Of those, a whopping 65,000 were exported in December alone.

NT Live Cattle Exporters Association chief executive Patrick Moran said more than 100,000 cattle were exported in 2024 compared to during the previous year.

“With permits issued for 2025 ahead of what was anticipated, the live cattle market is off to a running start,” he said.

Live cattle beingloaded at Darwin Port.

“All indications are that this pace will continue or even increase over the coming year, with demand pressures on Indonesia and around the word on an upward trend.

“If prices remain stable and demand, particularly in Indonesia, remains strong some exporters believe numbers through the Darwin Port could be 10 to 20 per cent higher this year.

“Adding to the optimism is Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s nutritious meals program, which aims to provide meals to 83 million Indonesians by 2029.

“The NTLEA is looking forward to partnering with the CLP Government, the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, pastoralists and exporters to find new markets for Territory exports, both within Indonesia and throughout South East Asia.

“Overall, global demand should benefit the Australian cattle market as we provide a premium product that is sought-after around the world.”

Livestock Exporters Association chief executive Patrick Moran.

Mr Moran said industry challenges including equipment shortages, port delays and biosecurity concerns persisted, issues he was expecting to raise during a meeting with Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins this week.

Meanwhile, the federal Labor Party has slapped down hopes it would up the ante in its longstanding live cattle export ban compensation dispute with the industry.

In a landmark June 2020 determination, Federal Court Justice Steven Rares ruled in favour of the 300-strong class action plaintiffs impacted by the 2011 Labor Party live export ban to Indonesia.

Justice Rares awarded the plaintiffs $600m for lost income as a result of the ban, finding the government’s actions had been “capricious” and “unreasonable”.

Including interest, the total payout would have been close to $1bn.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce at the 81st commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin.

The decision was taken when the Coalition was in government, with then Attorney-General Christian Porter eventually folding on appealing against the decision under pressure from Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said a 2022, $215m settlement offer was rejected by farmers, and the matter was listed for a re-hearing on April 14.

“The Commonwealth has engaged in a good-faith attempt to settle the claims made by the applicants, including by making an offer of settlement of $215 million in December 2022.”

A comment on the Coalition’s position on compensation heading into the federal election has been sought from Nationals Leader David Littleproud, but speaking in Darwin on Wednesday, former leader Barnaby Joyce said while a final decision was for the party leadership, the $600m and interest should be paid out in full.

“This money should be paid,” he said.

“The court has made their decision. Everybody’s come to a conclusion and it’s both on compensation and also basically the honouring of a government decision, you can’t decide a decision of an independent arbatoir is incorrect and you have a different view.”