Govt, Nats argue over horse disease levy

The federal government has criticised the Nationals over the "devastating impact" of
their decision to block the horse disease response levy in February.
But the Nationals have questioned whether the government would do anything to
support the horse industry if there was another horse flu outbreak like the one in
2007.
The coalition used its numbers in the Senate to block the legislation, which would
have imposed a controversial levy on the horse industry to help pay for dealing with
future outbreaks.
The federal government says the Nationals played politics by blocking the
legislation in a move that has seen recreational and racing horse owners shouldered
"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," a statement from
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said.
However, opposition agriculture spokesman John Cobb queried whether the assertion
meant that the Rudd government "would do nothing" if there was another outbreak.
"Surely at the very least the Rudd government would fund any future outbreak in the
same way the coalition funded and successfully eradicated the first and last equine
influenza outbreak," Mr Cobb said.
The question had to be asked why the government was abandoning Australia's animal
population in the event of an exotic disease outbreak, he said.
"Horses are not the only Australian domesticated animals not covered by a levy."
Mr Burke said the Nationals claimed they blocked the legislation because of the way
the levy was structured but they didn't move a single amendment when the bill was
before parliament.
However, Mr Cobb said while some bills can be amended, "with others, it just isn't
feasible".
Under the legislation, Mr Cobb said owners of horses that pose the greatest risk,
such as racing horses which are transported around the world, would pay nothing,
while those who own ponies would pay the levy.
That was totally inequitable, he said.
"The minister has never tried to negotiate with the coalition, nor sought any
meetings to discuss the coalition's concerns about the bill, so you have to wonder
just how serious is the Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, ... in getting this issue
resolved?"