CATTLE PRODUCERS DIE WAITING FOR LIVE EXPORT JUSTICE

Fifteen years after an unlawful Labor Government decision devastated Northern Australia’s cattle industry, producers are still waiting for compensation while the Commonwealth refuses to reveal how much taxpayers have spent fighting the case.

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald has condemned the extraordinary length of the live cattle export class action after Senate Estimates revealed the Commonwealth has made no revised compensation offer following the latest Federal Court ruling, while another procedural process remains unresolved.

The Federal Court ruled in 2020 that the Gillard Labor Government’s 2011 suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia was unlawful, but hundreds of affected producers have still not received compensation.

During questioning this week, Department of Finance officials confirmed:

• The Commonwealth has made no revised settlement offer following the May 2026 Federal Court appeal decision.
• The total cost of legal representation, expert evidence and administration of the class action will not be disclosed while proceedings remain ongoing.
• A court-ordered referee process to determine how losses should be allocated among class members has yet to have a referee appointed.
• The next case management hearing is scheduled for 13 November, with no confirmed date for final resolution.

Senator McDonald said the continuing delays were an appalling outcome for families who had spent more than a decade fighting for compensation.

“Fifteen years since a Federal Labor Government made a catastrophic decision that turned the lives of cattle producers and their families upside down,” Senator McDonald said.

“These are hardworking Australians who built businesses, employed people and helped create prosperity across Northern Australia. Some have died without ever seeing this matter resolved.

“How many more have to pass away before this disgraceful saga finally ends?”

Senator McDonald said she accepted that legal processes must be followed and that the Federal Court had recently ruled on contested compensation issues, but questioned why the Commonwealth had not demonstrated greater urgency in resolving the remaining claims.

“The Commonwealth accepts that compensation is payable but the people who suffered the consequences are being forced to wait,” she said.

“The Government says it is committed to settling, but there has been no revised offer following the latest judgment and officials couldn’t say when the next referee would even be appointed.

“Talk is cheap, it’s time for action.”

Senator McDonald also demanded transparency over the amount of taxpayer money spent on the Commonwealth’s legal defence since the class action began in 2014.

Department of Finance officials declined to provide the figures, arguing that disclosing litigation expenditure while proceedings continued could prejudice the Commonwealth’s position.

The Senator also questioned whether former Labor Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, who imposed the original export suspension, had received Commonwealth-funded legal assistance or remained involved in advising on the case.

Officials confirmed Mr Ludwig was not a party to the current claim and took further questions on notice about any taxpayer-funded legal assistance or advisory involvement.

Senator McDonald said those questions warranted clear answers.

“The cattle industry paid an enormous price for the original decision. Families should not have to spend another generation waiting for this chapter to close,” she said.

“The Commonwealth has legal obligations, but it also has a responsibility to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

ENDS