8 June 2009
DAFF09/270B

It’s taken months, but the National Party has finally realised the devastating impact of its decision to block the horse disease response levy legislation in February this year.
 
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the National Party had played politics in Canberra by blocking the legislation, despite the concerns of horse owners.

The move shouldered Australian recreational and racing horse owners with a major financial liability.

It means horse owners may have to outlay millions of dollars to deal with any future outbreak of equine influenza or other exotic diseases.

Other industries that already have an emergency response and eradication framework in place include the chicken meat, cattle, dairy, laying chickens, sheep, lamb, goat and pig industries.

Mr Burke said Mr Cobb tried to claim the National Party only blocked the legislation because of the way the levy was structured.

“Their claims have no credibility because when this legislation was before Parliament, the National Party didn’t suggest a single amendment,” Mr Burke said.

Professor Peter Shergold - Implementation of the government response to the Callinan Report – second report
“There is genuine concern that, in the absence of legislation guaranteeing government aid, many horse owners could face crippling financial exposure if equine influenza was to reoccur.”

Australian Horse Industry Council – media release, 5 February 2009
“This decision places the entire horse industry, including thousands of mum and dad horse owners, at risk of an emergency disease outbreak without any guarantee of government help.”

Harness Racing Australia – media release, 5 February 2009
“It is very disappointing that the levy bills have been defeated in the Senate, despite the support of all the major industry bodies.”

Australian Racing Board – media release, 5 February 2009
“What makes the Federal Opposition’s actions even worse is that it follows ten years of procrastination on the issue while they were in office. Minister after minister in the Howard government was ‘going’ to do something about a horse disease response levy but it always ended up in the too-hard basket. After ten years of sitting on their hands while they had responsibility they then commit the ultimate sell-out…”