NEW England MP Barnaby Joyce is being pressured by his independent rival and a local quarter-horse breeder to wield his ministerial power to stop a class action against the government from going to court.
The class action is being waged by 587 stakeholders against the federal government regarding the 2007 equine influenza outbreak, and heads to mediation today .
Former New England MP and independent candidate Tony Windsor backed calls by Tamworth quarter-horse breeder Amanda Nichol- son who wants the minister to find a solution to avoid the matter going to court on June 6.
“For nine years now, people have been left in limbo,” Mr Windsor said.
“There’s a potential opportunity for the minister for agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, our local member, to actually rectify this problem.”
The federal election is expected to be called later this week, and Mr Windsor believes the minister has limited time to intervene.
“We see a circumstance where the government of the day will not be able to intervene during the caretaker period of parliament,” Mr Windsor said.
Ms Nicholson, who operates Texas Star Quarter Horses, bought her first stallion the day before the equine influenza breakout in 2007 and estimated the ordeal cost her $300,000 alone.
“We had 52 mares booked in at the time and he stands at a fee of $1100, so that was a massive loss,” Ms Nicholson said.
“From then, we have the ongoing loss as there was no progeny to sell, so the income was diminished.
“All up its about $300,000 we’ve lost, which is a massive amount when you’re a small business and you’re just starting out on your own.”
Ms Nicholson is a part of the current Maurice Blackburn class action against the government and hopes to see some resolution to the saga.
“I believe if it does go to court we will receive nothing,” she said.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Joyce said “we understand the economic and social effects the 2007 equine influenza outbreak had on many individuals and businesses, including those in the New England.
“However as the matter is currently before the court it is not appropriate to comment further.”
