TT-Line reverses decision on Spirit of Tasmania livestock ban

Tassie’s Deputy Premier has repeatedly declined to criticise the conduct of TT-Line after an agreement was struck to resume the transporting of livestock across the Bass Strait. The racing industry has also reacted. LATEST >>

UPDATE, 1pm Tuesday: Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson has repeatedly declined to criticise the conduct of TT-Line after an agreement was struck to resume the transporting of livestock across the Bass Strait.

Mr Ferguson revealed the Department of Natural Resources and Energy has seconded an officer to provide a “recommendation” to TT-Line as to the suitability of animals for transport, after reviewing their health and “suitability” of transport vehicles.

The arrangement will be in place for one month “at least” until a more permanent arrangement can be found.

Another officer may be seconded if there is a requirement to have one at both points of departure.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson talks about TT-Line.

He said TT-Line’s decision was made in response not to the fact they had been found guilty of a role in the death of 16 polo ponies, but rather Magistrate Leanne Topfer’s reasoning, which provided a “curve ball”.

Mr Ferguson said her reasons for decision contained “significant implications” for how NRE’s Animal Welfare Manual is applied to livestock transportation across the Bass Strait, in a way that affects all livestock carriers.

Mr Ferguson described the outcome as “very satisfactory” and praised the way TT-Line had engaged with the state government and stakeholders to find a workable solution.

He said “ no-one was to blame” for the imbroglio.

When questioned as to how that assertion squared with the fact TT-Line was found guilty of a role in the ponies’ deaths, he said he didn’t want to be “verballed”.

He said TT-Line had no choice but to follow their “very stern” legal advice stemming from Magistrate Topfer’s decision.

He said Tasmanians could have confidence in the vital carrier moving forward.

Compensation would not be offered to businesses affected by the five-day shutdown.

Trainer Scott Brunton, who spent Tuesday at Elwick Racecourse in Hobart, had two horses set to run at Flemington this week but learned his horses could not be transported just hours before they were due to sail out of Devonport.

Horse trainer Scott Brunton with Nicco at Elwick. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The snap decision has wrecked a lot of spring racing plans,” Mr Bunton said after scoring a winner at Elwick.

“TT-Line has proved we need their ships to get our horses to the mainland but there was no thought process in the timing,” he said.

UPDATE, 11.45am Tuesday:

TT-Line has reversed its decision to ban livestock transport on its Spirit of Tasmania sailings.

In a joint statement, Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the Tasmanian Government “recognises the impact of the decision to suspend livestock transport on TT-Line, due to its clear advice following a very complex court decision”.

“That’s why we are pleased to confirm that, after significant efforts and teamwork over the past few days, TT-Line Company is able to resume carriage of livestock, including horses, effective immediately for Devonport departures and from tomorrow, Wednesday 2 November, for Geelong departures,” the statement said.

“Since Friday, we have led a team to find a solution to resume carriage of livestock as soon as possible, and we are especially thankful to those who have worked right through the weekend to make this a possibility.

“We have agreed to implement an interim arrangement, using additional resources from Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, to support TT-Line to develop and implement procedures in the assessment of the suitability of horse transport vehicles.

“The resumption of transport will come as a huge relief to many, particularly those in equestrian or horse racing, breeding and animal transport.

“This is an interim arrangement in place for at least a month, while we complete further work on designing and implementing an ongoing process to ensure that this vital service continues.”

EARLIER: EQUESTRIAN Tasmania has urged the government and TT-Line to quickly find a solution to the Spirit of Tasmania livestock ban, with the decision causing “anguish” across the industry.

Chair Helmut Rechberger said the ban – which came in the wake of last week’s court decision over the deaths of 16 polo ponies during 2018 – would be felt across “all aspects of our equine community”.

He said horse owners seeking veterinary help on the mainland, riders travelling interstate to train and compete, and breeders, sellers and buyers would all be impacted.

Mr Rechberger also said there were horses currently on the mainland, unable to return to Tasmania.

“This decision is causing a lot of concern and anguish to our members with many due to travel in the coming weeks. Our sport relies on the Spirit of Tasmania, it is part of our national highway, we cannot become isolated,” he said.

Jess Cowan, the Equestrian Tasmania riders’ representative, said members travelled throughout the year to events – including the recent national inter-school championships, and the upcoming Horse of the Year show in December.

“What happened with the polo ponies is a devastating situation and we understand this will have impact and learnings, however a total ban is not a viable option,” she said.

“’From a riders’ perspective, we cannot compete at the higher levels in our sport without being able to travel across the strait. Having competitors experience the higher levels is vital for the ongoing development of our riders in Tassie.”

On Sunday, Braddon MP Roger Jaensch said the state government was in contact with TT-Line and the businesses affected.

“We understand that TT-Line received some legal advice off the back of a court decision,” he said.

Mr Jaensch said three ministers were currently working together to “try to come up with a solution as soon as possible”.

‘Devastating’: Labor fears TT-Line court ruling will isolate Tasmania

Labor leader Rebecca White, a former state equestrian champion who has transported horses on the Spirit of Tasmania, says the decision to ban livestock travel is devastating.

She said the decision would not only affect the racing industry but also recreational riders, pony clubbers and people moving to Tasmania with pets and questioned why the government had plans in place earlier.

“This is a very surprising decision but given the complex legal case that we’ve just seen handed down recently, I understand why they may have taken this action.

“However, given it’s been ongoing for four years, there are lots of questions about why no contingencies were in place to make sure that you we can have livestock travel across Bass Strait.

Rebecca White and her dog for Dogs in Politics Day. Picture: Supplied

“I myself have taken horses across on the Spirit of Tasmania a number of times in the past and had an excellent experience. I’ve used transport companies to bring horses into Tasmania, and it’s been done professionally and I’ve never had an issue.”

Ms White said it was “terrible” for Tasmania to be disconnected from the rest of the mainland.

“We now have a situation where livestock travel has been banned on the Spirit of Tasmania, for goodness knows how long, hopefully not too long, because of one particular transport operator.

“We’re talking about a widespread impact that will have economic consequences for our state and the government needs to rectify this matter urgently.”

Ms White, who only last year had a horse travel from New South Wales to Tasmania, was chosen in a national development squad in 2012 preparing for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics

‘We’ll find a solution’: Racing Minister promises

TT-Line, operator of the Spirit of Tasmania ferries, has apologised to horse owners whose lives and businesses have been disrupted by the snap decision to suspend carrying livestock across Bass Strait.

On Friday, TT-Line suspended carting horses on the Spirit ferries, in reaction to a court ruling which found the carrier guilty of breaching animal welfare standards.

In a statement issued on Saturday morning, the company said: “TT-Line has apologised to its customers for its decision to cease the transportation of livestock (including horses) effective immediately and until further notice.

“The company was acting on legal advice following the decision of the Magistrates’ Court of Tasmania earlier this week.

“TT-Line is working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.”

A spokesman for TT-Line said it would not be making any further comment today on the issue.

Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie is confident a solution will be found soon following the TT-Line’s decision to ban livestock which has thrown the racing industry into turmoil.

Ms Ogilvie admitted she was disappointed with the decision which she described as a “curve ball” and followed a “complex legal decision”.

“We’re looking at a solution, we’ll find a solution,” she said on Saturday morning.

“Everybody’s around the table with their shirt sleeves rolled up, we’ll find a solution.

“We understand it’s urgent and we have deep empathy for everyone in the sector”

Ms Ogilvie said she understood the importance of balancing the needs of the racing industry with animal welfare concerns.

Horse transport bombshell sends racing industry into tailspin

TT-line has suspended carrying livestock including horses on its Spirit of Tasmania vessels, sending the horse racing and breeding industries into a tailspin.

It is understood TT-Line made the unprecedented decision – which soon flowed through to the industry – following a court decision on Thursday.

In that decision, a magistrate in Burnie found the company guilty of 29 animal cruelty charges in relation to the death of 16 polo ponies on board in 2018.

The ponies were in a converted horse trailer being driven by former polo champion Andrew Williams and returning to Victoria after a tournament in Tasmania.

Just two of the 18 horses in that trailer survived.

Magistrate Leanne Topfer ruled TT-Line were partly responsible for the welfare of the horses on board.

“I make the finding in the context of a warm evening where there was a clearly inadequately ventilated transport unit, stationary for 10 hours on the Spirit of Tasmania 1, where there were too many horses in the unit and 16 horses were exposed to the risk of acute heat stress and asphyxiation and died from peracute respiratory failure,” she said when handing down her decision.

Horse trainer and breeder Adam Trinder said he had been told horse transport would be suspended.

Trainer Adam Trinder poses with Cox Plate contender Mystic Journey during a media call at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Image/Vince Caligiuri

He said not being able to put horses on the Spirit of Tasmania vessels would be “catastrophic” for both industries.

Mr Trinder carts about 140 horses to and from Tasmania to the mainland on board the ferries each year.

About 20 go to race interstate while he imports around 120 horses from the mainland to race here.

“It is our national highway and from a racing industry point of view we will be hugely disadvantaged by this suspension of services,” Mr Trinder said.

“I don’t know how but this issue needs to be addressed.

“It will not only impact Tasmanian horses due to race in the spring carnival in Victoria but put an end to healthy competition in our summer racing season here.”

The well-known trainer said 75 per cent of the yearlings sold at the annual sale went to mainland buyers.

“TT-line has been carting horses since they began operation without issue. Without commenting on the court decision it appears something slipped through the cracks in this one instance,” he said.

“SeaRoad and Toll are not really viable options to get horses across Bass Strait. It is too long a trip and you have to wait on the wharf for them to be unloaded.

“TT-line provides a really good service and looks after livestock on board.”

TT-Line did not provide comment on the issue on Friday afternoon.