Low blows from Kidman rivals

A war of words has broken out between the rival bidders for the Kidman cattle empire.

Senator Nick Xenophon, Sterling Buntine and Independent MP Bob Katter speak to the media.

A war of words has broken out between the rival bidders for the Kidman cattle empire with the all-Australian consortium BBHO accusing Gina Rinehart of resorting to smear, misinformation and “low road” tactics.

The BBHO group, a combined bid for the fabled 10.1 million hectare S Kidman and Co company by the Brinkworth, Buntine, Harris and Oldfield farm families, was furious when Mrs Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting on Monday pointedly claimed it would observe higher standards of pastoral care and “not tolerate animal cruelty or illegal land clearing”.

Mrs Rinehart also claimed that the success of her bid — and not BBHO’s — would have been “what Sir Sidney Kidman would have wanted”, because of the four families plan to split the outback chain of stations up between themselves.

“BBHO is surprised and dismayed that any bidding party would try to speak on behalf of the Kidman shareholders, board or Sir Sidney himself to further their own agenda,” the BBHO syndicate statement said.

“The BBHO consortium presents a clear and simple choice: a higher bid (of $386 million), fewer conditions, no FIRB or Chinese approvals required and an authentic respect and commitment to the preservation and growth of the cattle culture created by the Kidman family.”

Spokesman, part-bidder and NT cattleman Sterling Buntine said it was disappointing to see a potential owner of such an iconic agricultural asset as the Kidman empire dealing in “misinformation and smear”.

Ms Rinehart’s reference to animal cruelty is believed to relate to a former case investigated by the RSPCA against South Australian cattle and sheep producer Tom Brinkworth but which was dropped without any charges being made or fines issued.

A relative of part BBHO bidder Malcolm Harris was recently accused by environmental groups of illegal land clearing on his Strathmore property in the Gulf Country of far north Queensland near Georgetown, but was found by a joint state-federal investigation to have acquired all the relevant permits and not to have breached any laws.

“The leaders of this country’s rural community have always a played a hard game but a straight game,” an angered Mr Buntine said. “The BBHO partners can all be counted upon to do the right thing by this iconic asset.”