Mrs HICKEY - 1995-05-18
I refer the minister to media reports that Elders Limited has made a takeover of the Australian Agricultural Company. What effect would such a concentration of ownership have on the Northern Territory pastoral industry? Does the minister support such a concentration in view of his previous comments to this Assembly that `some of the larger pastoral holdings in particular could be subdivided into 7 or 8 viable properties'?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am aware from media reports this morning that Elders Limited has gained a controlling interest in the Australian Agricultural Company. We are all aware that the latter has been wanting to divest itself of at least part of its shares for some time and Elders Limited is a well-respected Australian pastoral house. I have no doubt that it will continue to manage the Australian Agricultural Company properties in the very professional manner in which they have been managed hitherto.
In relation to the second part of the question, I acknowledge that I have voiced the opinion that some of the larger pastoral leases could be subdivided into smaller holdings, and I am still of the opinion that there are opportunities for smaller holdings. However, one must be mindful also that the properties need to remain viable at all times. One of the advantages that the larger pastoral houses have on the Barkly Tableland, where rainfalls are not as reliable as they are in the northern part of the Territory and those properties can be subject to drought, is that, through their holdings in other places, they have the ability to move cattle off very early in the season. The managers are very mindful of pasture conditions, and it would be at about this time in the year, or indeed earlier, that the various pastoral companies look at the condition of their pastures, assess exactly what numbers of cattle they can afford to retain on their Barkly Tableland properties, and make their plans for the year ahead based on those assessments. It is really only those large companies that have the ability to manage the resource properly in that region. This is not to say that smaller holdings could not be managed in the same way, but the owners would be in the position of having to look for agistment on other people's properties or, indeed, to turn cattle off to market.
To reiterate, I have no problems with Elders. It is a great, well-known and responsible pastoral company. I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with it.
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Page 561
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am aware from media reports this morning that Elders Limited has gained a controlling interest in the Australian Agricultural Company. We are all aware that the latter has been wanting to divest itself of at least part of its shares for some time and Elders Limited is a well-respected Australian pastoral house. I have no doubt that it will continue to manage the Australian Agricultural Company properties in the very professional manner in which they have been managed hitherto.
In relation to the second part of the question, I acknowledge that I have voiced the opinion that some of the larger pastoral leases could be subdivided into smaller holdings, and I am still of the opinion that there are opportunities for smaller holdings. However, one must be mindful also that the properties need to remain viable at all times. One of the advantages that the larger pastoral houses have on the Barkly Tableland, where rainfalls are not as reliable as they are in the northern part of the Territory and those properties can be subject to drought, is that, through their holdings in other places, they have the ability to move cattle off very early in the season. The managers are very mindful of pasture conditions, and it would be at about this time in the year, or indeed earlier, that the various pastoral companies look at the condition of their pastures, assess exactly what numbers of cattle they can afford to retain on their Barkly Tableland properties, and make their plans for the year ahead based on those assessments. It is really only those large companies that have the ability to manage the resource properly in that region. This is not to say that smaller holdings could not be managed in the same way, but the owners would be in the position of having to look for agistment on other people's properties or, indeed, to turn cattle off to market.
To reiterate, I have no problems with Elders. It is a great, well-known and responsible pastoral company. I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with it.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016