Media Release

KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy has acknowledged the efforts of North West Queensland cattlemen towards restoring northern Australia’s vital live export trade with Indonesia following the announcement of an extra quota of 25,000 head, without any weight restrictions.

Mr Katter said there was “no doubt” that the cattlemen who led the North West Qld crisis summit, and then followed up by meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador both in Canberra and the Gulf of Carpentaria, had contributed to achieving this outcome.

“There is not the slightest doubt that Barry Hughes and his Cattlemen’s Crisis Committee have played a very integral role in the further re-opening of this market,” said Mr Katter.

“And we hope that this will have the effect of restraining prices for the Indonesians during Ramadan.”

Mr Katter welcomed the additional second half-year quota towards restoring the beef supply levels to those prior to the Federal Government’s impromptu and ill-conceived live export ban in 2011.

“Following the doubling of the quota for the first half of the year to 260,000, we now pray this extra 25,000 head will be the first of extra quota announcements for the second half of the year,” said Mr Katter.

“We believe that the industry should go up to 1 million head a year, which can be achieved in a short period of time.

“That would be worth $1000m to the Australian economy and $4000m to Indonesia.”

Mr Katter said it was hoped the improved live cattle trading conditions would buy some time for those banks threatening to foreclose on property owners struggling under insurmountable rural debt burdens due to an inflated Australian dollar, property price plunges, and extreme weather conditions.

“We have scheduled meetings with the CEOs of the banks, and in the meantime we urge people to apply quickly for $420 million of concessional loans funding for farmers in crisis across Australia.”

PHOTO: Bob with Indonesian Ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema on a cattle property in the Gulf.