Hill MP Shane Knuth, who has been a vocal opponent of the current cattle seizure program, says no cattle owner should be denied the right to find and retrieve their livestock. Photo: Supplied.
A Far North Queensland MP says he hopes a landmark court ruling will end a “disgraceful” State Government program to manage cattle in Cape York national parks and give pastoralists a genuine chance to retrieve their livestock.
On 29 November 2024, the Supreme Court of Queensland found in favour of Olive Vale Pastoral – which operates Cape York’s well-known Fairview and Koolburra stations – that a seizure notice issued by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) was “invalid and of no effect”.
The notices were issued by the former Miles government and new Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell put an interim pause on the program and confirmed “there will be no shooting of cattle in Cape York national parks in 2024 or over the current wet season”.
Member for Hill Shane Knuth said while he welcomed the minister’s decision, he wanted to see a permanent end to the practice and bureaucrats work with pastoralists to design a new system trimmed of red tape.
“[W]e are seeking a complete halt to these operations,” the Katter’s Australian Party MP told Cape York Weekly.
“Indiscriminate shooting of branded and unbranded cattle is a pointless waste of a valuable resource, serving no purpose other than throwing a free feast party for feral pigs and wild dogs.
“The permit system must be overhauled and be granted for a 12-month period, with an option for another 12 months, and be processed within seven days of application.
“No grazier should be denied the right to find and or retrieve his livestock from a neighbouring park; these disgraceful operations have been going on long enough and this is an opportunity for the new minister to step in, halt this practice for good and ensure landowners are finally treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Cape York Cattle Growers (CYCG) chairman John Witherspoon was more scathing in his assessment of the current seizure program, describing it as “stock theft” as he called for a meeting between Minister Powell and impacted graziers.
“The minister needs to understand this is absolute stock theft, especially in light of the recent court case,” he said.
“To own cattle, you must have a history of the beast – for example, you had purchased the cattle, or they were progeny of cattle you had owned.”
Mr Witherspoon said while the CYCG supported the temporary halt to the shooting program, members were concerned by the language used by the minister in correspondence sent to Mr Knuth about the situation.
“This indicates more of the same in 2025,” he said.
“No shooting in 2024 and over the wet season, but look out when the wet stops.
“The minister should come clean about it.”
Members of Cape York Cattle Growers say they have significant concerns that a controversial cattle seizure program will continue in 2025, and are calling on Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell to “come clean” about his intentions. Photo: Supplied.
