18 September 2012

TITLE: “Primary Producers – A New Voice”

SPEAKER: Rob KerinConsultant on re-structure of SAFF at South

Australian Farmers Federation.Chairman and Executive Officer at Regional Development South Australia.

PRIMARY PRODUCERS S.A.

Representing Primary Producers in South Australia on Cross Commodity

Issues

Background to Change• Fracturing of Primary Producer representation• Number of bodies representing Commodity Groups

and lack of co-ordination• Falling Membership Numbers• Problem in All States and Nationally• Dissatisfaction politically with status quo• Lack of one United Voice seen as representing all

Primary Producers

Current Status• Discussions between the Commodity Groups have

been in good faith and there is a strong commitment to form a body which represents all Primary Producers.

• A working group has been formed to advance negotiations, address funding and sign M.O.U. to advance Primary ProducersS.A.

• More formal arrangements can be made if this meeting agrees on the way ahead.

Commodity Group Members• S.A. Dairy Farmers Association• Grain Producers S.A. • Horticulture Coalition• Wine Grape Growers Council• S.A. Livestock Association (?Final Name)• Intensive Farming

Commodity Group Roles• There has been a strong message that autonomy

for Commodity Groups is wanted.• This model certainly delivers on that, with each

of the Commodities to deal with their own issues.• Some have taken this opportunity to reflect on

the situation, and strong commodity organisations will provide a strong base.

Structure

Grain Grape LiveStock Dairy Hortic

ultureIntens.Farm

Primary Producers Council

Primary Producers Council • Made up of one Member from each commodity

and Independent Chair.• Executive Officers of each Commodity and CEO of

Prim. Prod. S.A to sit in on Meetings.• A Governance Sub-Committee preferred to

having a Board. CEO answers to this Comm.• Council to be the ultimate decision maker.• Policy issues to be by concensus.

P. P. Council Sub-Committees• Council to have a range of sub-committees• Some permanent such as NRM & Transport.• Some for limited time to deal with an Issue.• Sub-Committees can consist of whoever the

Council wishes. Some may be EO’s of the Commodity Organisations.

• Some sub-committees (e.g.Animal Welfare) will not affect all Commodities.

Funding• Each Commodity organisation raises it’s own

finances, some through levies.• The Commodities committed to agree on

formula for funding Primary Producers S.A.• Commodities to fund sitting fees for their Rep on

the P.P. Council.• Primary Producers S.A. will seek significant

Corporate support to help fund itself.

Staffing• The P.P. Council would appoint the C.E.O.• The CEO would employ other staff with the sign

off of the Council.• It is envisaged that Staff numbers be kept in the

4-5 range, building to this over 1-2 years.• Sharing of Administration with some Commodity

Groups is being discussed.

Levies• There will be no specific levy to fund the new

Organisation.• Commodities have made good progress on

the levy issue.• Levies have received strong support as the

most equitable way of funding strong representation.

Initial Aims• The early meetings in this process identified 3

major issues.• 1) A strong organisation representing all Primary

Producers• 2) Autonomy for Commodities• 3) Adequate funding of representation, with a

preference for levies.• This model can cater for all the above.

Other Issues• The need to continue to cater for I.R., Legal and

other services provided by current SAFF has been acknowledged.

• Current branches can be catered for as either branches of Commodities or P.P.S.A.

• Effective feedback models will be a priority.• Co-location of P.P.S.A. and some Commodities

highly likely, with resource sharing.

Next Steps• With AGM agreement, a new Constitution be

prepared which fits the new model.• Working group consisting of Commodity and

SAFF reps work towards M.O.U. as priority, and finalising structure of P.P.S.A.

• Later meeting of SAFF considers new Constitution, and if adopted PPSA is established.

• Council meets and makes Foundation Decisions.