Attachment #1 ABC News Transcript

ABC News 6th June 2011 - Federal Government has suspended live cattle exports to Indonesia due to animal cruelty as activists and the Greens call for a permanent ban. News Reporter: Tens of thousands of animals are in holding yards across Australia's north tonight after the federal government suspended all cattle shipments to Indonesia. Just where the cattle will end up is a mystery and anxious farmers are demanding compensation for lost income but cross benchers want the government to make the 6 month ban permanent. Chief political correspondent Mark Simpkin and a warning: viewers may find some of the images in this story distressing. Reporter: All lined up with nowhere to go, a 300 million dollar a year industry is at a standstill. Tens of thousands of cows are stranded, after being saved from the slaughter house. Farmer: I haven't got an income for 12 months, gonna have 3000 heads of cattle I gotta move in the next 35 days, what am I gonna do? Reporter: A week and a half after these pictures were broadcasted, Labor's acted, heading off for backlash from the public and the backbench. Gillard: If we want to get this right, we want to get it right so that animals don't suffer that kind of cruelty. Reporter: Indonesia's already looking at alternative markets. Indonesian Agricultural Minister Suswono: We can still get supplies from New Zealand, from the Americas, there are still other countries. Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce: The live cattle trade is a substantial industry in Northern Australia, yet now we wake up and find that, that industry is a threat, those jobs are a threat. Independent MP Bob Katter: Compensation now is desperately needed. I mean, those few little pioneers that live frontiersman that live on our boundaries Reporter: The government acknowledges the industry will take a big hit but won't say if it will be compensated. Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig: What we've got is an industry that I believe, has a lot of long term future. What we do have to do is address the short term animal welfare outcomes to ensure that we do continue to have a live export industry. Reporter: Animal activist and Greens are pushing for a permanent ban. Greens MP: Adam Bandt: Both animals exports are shiploads of misery. It is unethical to have live animal exports. Reporter: The government insists the trade will resume. Gillard: This is a suspension. I mean that in the genuine use of the word suspension. Reporter: Julie Gillard quelled...[inaudible] One Labor backbencher called us a complete capitulation. There are lingering frustrations though. Some MPs think the government took too long to act, while other believe cows are getting more consideration than asylum seekers. Mark Simpkin ABC News, Canberra.