Pastoralists affected by live export ban deserve a fair deal

THE National Farmers’ Federation says it is ‘deeply disappointing’ the Morrison Government has refused to rule out an appeal on the unprecedented court ruling on the 2011 live export ban. At the end of the day, the NT’s cattle graziers must be fairly compensated by the government.

Colin, Alison and Hamish Brett at the Berrimah Farm Export feedlot following the historic Federal Court ruling. Brett Cattle Company was the lead litigant in the class action. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

• Powerful farmers’ group slams Federal Govt over cattle court case
• Court orders NT cattle family be paid $2.9m for 2011 export ban fiasco

THE National Farmers Federation has pulled no punches, describing the Morrison Government as “deeply disappointing” for refusing to rule out an appeal on the unprecedented court ruling that the 2011 live export ban was invalid and did significant damage to the industry.

The NFF is not angry about the compensation, which could total in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but rather the principle of the matter.

The court orders yesterday will actually mean the NFF’s Australian Farmers Fighting Fund will be reimbursed for the legal fees spent fighting the drawn-out case.

The powerful agriculture lobby group wants the Federal Government to leave the ruling alone to ensure such a “reckless decision” won’t occur again.

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The Federal Government looks likely to compensate those in the class action but contest the point of law.

The Federal Government’s logic here, arguably, is not appealing the point of law could leave it open to myriad class actions.

At the end of the day, the NT’s cattle graziers must be fairly compensated by the Federal Government.

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In a perfect world, politicians would look at this ruling and fear in their bones ever making such “capricious” decisions again and pass on the lesson to their successors.