Alice Springs RSL Club
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NORTHERN TERRITORY CATTLENEWS Official Newsletter of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) | May 2017 NTCA applauds Federal Court ruling in export ban action On 31 March, after an 18-month battle by the NT Cattlemen’s Association for such a decision, the Federal Court in Sydney ordered former Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig and the Commonwealth to hand over ministerial documents relating to Mr Ludwig’s June 2011 decision to ban live cattle exports. News of the ruling came during Stockwell said the court order “Some time ago the the first session of the NTCA’s for Mr Ludwig to hand over all Commonwealth promised to annual industry conference and records relating to the ban was behave like a model litigant in CEO Tracey Hayes was greeted a significant step forward in this case so it’s astounding that with tumultuous applause from the class action involving many we’ve had to fight so hard to the 550 delegates present when producers and affiliated industry get this material, and that Joe she took to the stage between businesses. Ludwig has had to be ordered speakers to announce the to provide it. We expected to sit outcome. They said the ordered documents down and negotiate this matter would assist the NTCA, strongly but to date the Commonwealth The court ruling referred to supported by the Australian has not been interested. We private mobile phone records Farmers’ Fighting Fund, to run still hold some hope that this and personal email accounts the case listed for hearing in July. will happen but, if not, we will used by Mr Ludwig in the lead up “These documents are central continue to pursue it with as to him imposing the ban, which to the industry’s claim for much vigour as we have in the severely disrupted the northern compensation for affected past.” cattle industry. pastoralists and their families who have lost an estimated $600 In a joint statement, Ms Hayes million,” they said. and NTCA President Tom NTCA 33RD ANNUAL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE WRAP-UP STARTS PAGE 12 Australian Beef Sustainability Framework launched The ground-breaking Australian Beef “We must be vigilant and able to respond to any Sustainability Framework, designed to future- risks or opportunities as an industry. That is why proof the nation’s entire beef value chain, was the launch of this framework is accompanied released by the Red Meat Advisory Council with a clear forward strategy and a robust (RMAC) on 6 April. governance framework focused on driving action and delivering outcomes for Australian The framework focuses on fostering longevity beef businesses from the farm to feedlots to and prosperity for both producers and consumers processors.” through four key themes - Environmental Stewardship; Economic Resilience; People and The document has been developed by the the Community, and Animal Welfare. Sustainability Steering Group after a year of It will be used by industry to guide continuous consultation with industry, retailers, regulators, improvement in sustainable practices and, in banks, investors, interest groups, customers doing so, paint a clear and honest picture of our and the community. It lists 23 priority areas to progress for the community and industry. enhance animal wellbeing and health, increase profitability, productivity and market access; “We recognise that consumers and the improve land management, address climate community have changing expectations of our change and minimise waste; produce safe and industry and we want to satisfy the community nutritious food, build workforce capability and – and ourselves – that we are doing everything ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of people possible to ensure the longevity of the businesses, in the industry. families and communities that the Australian beef industry represents,” RMAC’s independent To obtain a copy visit: chair Don Mackay said. www.sustainableaustralianbeef.com.au Veteran Cattleman Ted Fogarty Remembered The Territory cattle industry broadcast as part of the ABC’s The NTCA was saddened by lost another of its well-known Drovers series in 2009. news of the passing of another and respected identities when Snippets from that recording Territory pastoral legend Central Australian pastoralist tell of a tough early life for the and has extended sincere Ted Fogarty passed away on 8 young Ted who was born in 1923 condolences to Ted’s family. April, at the age of 93. on Delamere Station, south of Katherine. His mother delivered Former drover, horse-musterer, him alone after rising floodwaters station manager and bore cut the station off, and he lost his plant owner Ted Fogarty was father when he was very young fondly remembered by his boy. When he was old enough family and many friends at his to leave home, he ventured to funeral at Anningie Station, the Kimberley to work on cattle then at his wake at Aileron stations and later moved to Roadhouse and, the next day, Cloncurry in outback Queensland. at a celebration of his life at the Ted continued his life in the bush Alice Springs RSL Club. before putting in a successful bid for a vacant lot near Alice Springs Ted Fogarty’s fascinating life in the 1950s and bringing in 1,600 story was recorded for the cattle from his brother’s station National Library of Australia 2,000 km to the north. Ted later some years ago and re- married and raised five children. NTCA Cattlenews - May 2017 2 NTCA submission to fracking inquiry The NT Cattlemen’s Association has told the Northern Territory Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing it does not support the activity within the Territory’s current regulatory framework because the associated risks have not yet been sufficiently quantified, understood and explained. It said its position is based on present scientific knowledge and will be reviewed as the scientific inquiry process evolves. President Tom Stockwell and framework for Access, Conduct association and its members CEO Tracey Hayes presented and Compensation Agreements needed to be addressed. These the NTCA submission to between landholders and included the integrity and the Darwin session before proponents. security of: land, water and Chair Justice Rachel Pepper “Our mission is to protect and terrestrial ecosystems; water on 10 March. They said the enhance the interests of our quality and quantity; market Association’s members, members,” it says. “Sustainability and consumer confidence in representing over 90% of the is more than a buzz-word to the the safety and value of their Territory cattle herd, held people of our industry. It is the products; their livelihoods diverse views of hydraulic bedrock of our existence and and businesses; industry fracturing, ranging from continuing contribution to the NT systems and accreditations, support for the increased community and economy. and community health and development it will bring to “We acknowledge the wellbeing. most Australians, to fears considerable gas reserves located that the risks it poses to the within the Northern Territory “Any risks related to these environment and enterprises provide significant economic issues must be acknowledged, far outweigh the potential enticement to governments and systems put in place to benefits. present and future. The NTCA mitigate them to demonstrate also recognises that fossil a commitment to limiting any “The NTCA has sought, on fuel reserves are finite, while potential negative impact as behalf of its members, the livestock production and the result of a gas industry,” the ultimate right to protect their agriculture generally will operate submission stated. livelihoods, land, water and in perpetuity. We do not believe natural resources, including that the pursuit of benefits to The NTCA will provide a the right to say no,” they said. be gained from extracting finite comprehensive written “However, we also support resources such as gas for energy, submission as the inquiry the right of our members to should negatively impact on the process evolves, and decide to have unconventional long-term benefit gained from reserves its final position shale gas developers access our industry.” on the identified and future their land if they can come risks until the results and to an appropriate agreement. The NTCA said that regardless recommendations of the Should a landholder agree of the inquiry’s outcome, a inquiry are known. to access, the Government number of non-negotiable issues must establish a legislative of primary concern for the 3 NTCA Cattlenews - May 2017 08 8947 4246 southernsteelnt.com.au Cattle Rail & Panels Fencing Pipe & RHS Mesh Star Pickets Purlins NTCA Cattlenews - May 2017 4 NTCA submission to ABC shortwave radio inquiry The NTCA was loud in and raise their families in and lack of regard for people condemning the ABC’s decision some of the most remote and impacted by this decision. The to switch off its shortwave isolated areas of the Australian fact that the shortwave is the transmission services to the continent. only option available to this bush in January and has particular group of listeners followed up with a hard-hitting “The decision by ABC appears to be completely lost submission to a federal inquiry management to terminate the on the ABC management. We into the decision. broadcast of the ABC Local challenge the ABC to clearly Radio via shortwave in the NT explain how those listeners who NTCA President Tom Stockwell is a betrayal of all that the ABC rely on the shortwave service warned late last year that should stand for and does not can now access emergency the decision would see many align with their statement that information, ABC news and remote-living Territorians suffer the ABC is deeply committed entertainment. the consequences of having their to rural and regional Australia” communications life-line cut. they said. “We do not accept that the VAST satellite is an acceptable “This decision will seriously “The decision taken by alternative and it’s misleading impact on significant numbers ABC management without of the ABC to suggest otherwise.