Media Release

On fighting for drug traffickers in Indonesia, Federal Member for Kennedy and KAP Leader Bob Katter today asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs “First Australians found that friction causes fire. Northern Cattleman got burnt, who next Minister?”.

Mr Katter was referring to the Gillard Government’s disastrous decision to ban live cattle exports to Indonesia in 2011which resulted in Indonesia dramatically reducing the live cattle quota.

Mr Katter, who asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Question Without Notice during Question Time in Parliament, referred to the recent Australian Financial Review story which quoted retired ASIO Chief David Irvine.

Mr Irvine’s quote included: “Look at the Indonesian Parliament and you see the level of criticism and dislike of Australia. We project an air of condescension”

Mr Katter’s question to the Minister stated “Every year drugs kill a 1000 innocent Australians. Doesn’t fighting for traffickers, however justified, reinforce to Indonesia that our Government’s manifest colonial like indifference to Asian sensitivities, laws and customs.”

Mr Katter’s electorate of Kennedy is one of the biggest beef producing areas in Australia and heavily reliant on the live cattle market to Indonesia.

“Almost 80 per cent of our cattle were dependent on live cattle. After the ban those cattle destined for Indonesia came back onto the Australian market and drove the cattle prices in Australia through the floor.

“The then Government took action which cost this industry $3,000 million dollars. This was a highly irresponsible action by Government,” he said.

In October 2014 Dougal and Emily Brett of Waterloo Station in the Northern Territory were the lead applicants for the class action filed in the Federal Court against the Gillard Government’s 2011 decision.

Since the live export ban Mr Katter and northern cattlemen have continued to push to restore the market and restore relations with Indonesia, including numerous meetings with the Indonesian Ambassador, conversations with then Prime Minister Rudd prior to his meetings in Indonesia with the President and hosting the Indonesian Ambassador in the Gulf of Carpentaria to see first-hand live cattle export facilities and cattle stations.

“For every cattlemen there are livestock hauliers, mustering contractors, fencing contractors and people at the local store in the town that has no customers.

“The knock on effect here is dramatic,” Mr Katter said.