National Senators call on government not to appeal live export ruling
NATIONAL and Liberal Senators have called on the Federal Government not to appeal the landmark live cattle export court decision
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NATIONAL and Liberal Senators have called on the Federal Government not to appeal the landmark live cattle export court decision.
In a bold move, Liberal and National senators on Tuesday voted in support of motion put forward by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, allowing it to pass 30 votes to 28.
In a historic decision earlier this month, Federal Court Justice Steven Rares ruled in favour of a 300-strong class action led by NT pastoralist seeking $600 million for lost income as a result of the snap live cattle export ban to Indonesia in 2011.
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Justice Rares, in a blistering 150-page decision 18 months in the making, found the ban order made by then Labor Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig was “capricious” and “unreasonable”.
The Federal Government has been under increasing pressure not to appeal the decision and drag out the long-running legal battle longer than it already has.
The Senate motion was non-binding but the support of Liberal and National Senators calling for their own government not to appeal the Federal Court’s ruling will likely wedge the Prime Minister.
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Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the former Labor Government’s “reckless” ban caused “enormous, unnecessary pain”.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. After almost a decade of fighting against Labor’s reckless decision, it is time for justice to happen for those who suffered from the ban,” he said.
“The government should not appeal this decision because that would just prolong the pain for people who have done nothing wrong.”
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NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Ashley Manicaros welcomed the support of the Senate.
“We’ve said from the moment Justice Rares handed down his decision we would encourage the government not to appeal,” he said.
“This wasn’t a problem created by this federal government but it has an opportunity to right a wrong and set a standard for governance at the same time.”
“The impact on the industry was substantial and is still being felt nine years on. Everyone will benefit from moving on.”
Lawyers for the Commonwealth and NT’s Brett Cattle Company will return to court on June 23 to work out what the compensation bill could cost.
Once both parties have come to agreement on the price tag, the Commonwealth will have 28 days to appeal the decision.
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