Prawn White Spot Class Action

This is a class action against the Commonwealth of Australia (Respondent) alleging that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources negligently failed to discharge its biosecurity obligations, which resulted in losses suffered by persons involved in the Australian commercial prawn, seafood and bait industries.

Group members who have suffered losses arising from the Respondent’s alleged biosecurity breaches at the Australian border in relation to the Prawn White Spot outbreak which occurred in late 2016 may be entitled to compensation for those losses.

Please note: As a Closed Class Action and following the Opt-Out period ending at 4pm AEDT on 12 February 2024, no further applications will be accepted in the Prawn White Spot Class Action.

Background

It is alleged that there were breaches at the Australian border which resulted in the introduction of White Spot Syndrome Virus from imported prawns and the eventual outbreak of White Spot Disease in Australia which devastated the commercial prawn, seafood and bait industries.

Causes of Action

The claims in negligence and public nuisance will be brought by Maurice Thompson of HFW who acts for claimants involved in the Australian commercial seafood, bait and prawn industries, including importers, wholesalers and fishers.

The claim period commences on or about 1 December 2016 and continues to the present day.

How much will it cost to be part of the class action?

The costs of running the class action will be partly met by Omni Bridgeway with the remainder met by HFW. In return, Omni Bridgeway will be entitled to a share of any amount awarded or settled in relation to the class action.

The amounts payable to Omni Bridgeway and the lawyers cannot exceed the amount recovered as part of the class action.

There are no ‘out of pocket’ costs for group members to pay. Group members do not have to pay anything in the event that the class action is unsuccessful, as Omni Bridgeway agrees to pay any legal costs that might be awarded to the Respondent.

If you have any queries or if you would like to request a copy of the Constitution (being the document containing the terms on which Omni Bridgeway is providing funding in respect of the class action), or the Answers to Questions document, which outlines some frequently asked questions, you can contact the Omni Bridgeway Client Liaison Team by email [email protected] or free call 1800 016 464.

Omni Bridgeway Limited is responsible for the contents of this website.

Omni Bridgeway Ltd (OBL) is the holder of Australian Financial Services Licence 557079 (“AFSL 557079”). Neither the funding of the class action by an Omni Bridgeway entity (“Omni Bridgeway”) nor the services provided by OBL in support of the class action are provided under AFSL 557079; rather OBL and Omni Bridgeway provide services and funding (respectively) to the class action on the basis that litigation funding schemes are an exempt financial product pursuant to the Corporations Regulations 2001. For the avoidance of doubt, your objectives, financial situation and needs have not been taken into account and you should consider whether the class action is appropriate for you taking any appropriate legal, financial or taxation advice you may require. Please note that neither OBL nor Omni Bridgeway is a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.