NT pastoralists have welcomed the establishment of a new police taskforce to combat and investigate livestock-related crimes that have had serious impacts on their businesses.

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) has announced that the newly formed Taskforce Starlight, initially set up for 12 months, will be composed of the police force alongside six Livestock Biosecurity Officers from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT).

NTCA Acting CEO Romy Carey said the cattle industry had been calling for the formation of an official taskforce with the powers to combat stock crime.

“All theft has serious impacts on pastoralists,” she said.

“The NTCA is excited that Taskforce Starlight has been established in a bid to improve reporting procedures and the investigation process into reports of alleged stock theft.

“Over the years NT pastoralists have had to deal with a lot of stock related crime – from the theft of an animal or to calculated large-scale pilfering operations.

“This is a big day for our industry and a fantastic initiative.”

Ms Carey said she hopes that the taskforce will significantly reduce stock crimes across the NT.

Detective Superintendent Mark Malogorski told the ABC that stock theft in the NT is “an issue that needs to be addressed”. He added that currently, there are no cases of stock theft being investigated.

The NTCA said Taskforce Starlight will consist of a planning team as well as strategic operations teams based in Katherine, Darwin, Adelaide River, Alice Springs, and Tennant Creek.

“As part of the Taskforce, NT Police will be appointed under the Livestock Act to enable further powers for investigation; and a joint awareness training program between police and DITT livestock inspectors is being set up to enhance investigation interoperability,” the NTCA said in a statement.

The taskforce will also review the Livestock Act to tighten legislative gaps, hold action days across the NT and roll out an awareness program to improve reporting processes.

Minister for Agribusiness Nicole Manison said the cattle industry is big part of NT’s economy and that it is important “to do everything we can to support it.”

Deputy NT Police Commissioner Murray Smalpage said the taskforce would “shine a light in the dark corners” of stock crime across the Top End.