Australia’s cattle producers await live export shutdown ruling

After Australia banned live cattle exports in 2011, hundreds of claimants pursued a class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth.
calendar icon 3 June 2020
clock icon 1 minute read

ABC News reports that Australia’s Federal Court ruled a Commonwealth minister acted unlawfully by banning the live cattle trade. The 2 June decision has shocked many members of Australia’s cattle industry. Experts believe that other affected business may be able to claim damages for financial losses due to the decision.

After Australia banned live cattle exports in 2011, 300 claimants filed a class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth for $600 million AUD in damages. The court ruled in favour of the class action, with Justice Stephen Rares saying that former agriculture minister Joe Ludwig acted with “misfeasance”. The value of the case has not been determined.

Though the ban was imposed by the Gillard government, the cost of compensation will be borne by the current government – making an appeal unlikely.

Read more about this story on ABC News.

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