Labor MP Luke Gosling blasts Commonwealth for considering cattle ban payout appeal

AN NT Labor MP has blasted the Commonwealth for considering an appeal of an historic court ruling to award the cattle industry compensation, despite his own party making the decision in 2011

AN NT Labor MP has blasted the Federal Government for even considering an appeal of an historic court ruling to award the cattle industry compensation, despite his own party making the decision in 2011.

In a landmark verdict last week Federal Court Justice Steven Rares ruled in favour of the plaintiffs in a 300-strong class action seeking $600 million for lost income as a result of a ban on live cattle export to Indonesia in 2011.

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From left, Brett Cattle Company owner Hamish Brett, his mother Alison and father Colin, together with former NT Cattlemen's Association CEO Tracey Hayes, following the landmark Federal Court ruling that the government's suspension of live cattle export in 2011 was unlawful. Picture Katrina Bridgeford

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 NT News on Tuesday reported Attorney-General Christian Porter had told a joint Coalition party room meeting that the Commonwealth planned on appeal the decision based on the point of law.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling, in parliament on Wednesday, said “enough damage had been done” and an appeal by the Commonwealth would signal the government does not truly appreciate the pain felt by the cattle industry.

“Why, oh why, would the Federal Government be now appealing the High Court’s decision that said that those families and those companies out on the land were so badly affected by the snap ban? What do you not get?” he said.

Luke Gosling has blasted the Federal Government for considering an appeal of an historic court ruling to award the cattle industry compensation. Picture: Keri Megelus

“This matter is still subject to legal proceedings, and of course the government should always pursue what’s in the national interest. It is clear that at that time some form of action was necessary, but the way that it happened, the snap ban, had a massively detrimental effect on pastoral companies and families, and they deserve to be compensated.

“I would say to the government, as a Northern Territory representative, that enough damage has been done.”

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Nationals politicians including Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, former Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan, Queensland Senator Susan McDonald and Mackay-based MP George Christensen have all urged their own government not to appeal the decision.

The Federal Government has until the end of June to lodge an appeal of Justice Rares decision.