Weekly Update, Friday, March 19, 1999
VFF WOMEN'S STRATEGY A FIRST FOR AUSTRALIA: The VFF introduced the first
official women's strategy to be instituted in any Australian farming
organisation. The VFF Diversity Policy recognises that tapping into all
sectors of its membership will strengthen the organisation and Victorian
agriculture. VFF President, Peter Walsh, said women form a large group
within the VFF. "They are important stakeholders as partners in family
businesses and as business and professional women in their own right," he
said. "The strategy underlines the importance of women as members and as
active participants and drivers of VFF policies, programs and services." In
recognition of this ground breaking move, the VFF has been awarded federal
funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Under stage two of
the Missed Opportunities, harnessing the potential of women in Australian
agriculture, the VFF will be funded to pilot the scheme in activities across
the state over the next year. The new strategy builds on five years of work
within the Federation, beginning with the introduction of two votes for each
membership, leadership training and the VFF Women's Skills Register. For
more information contact: Peter Walsh, 92075555; Airlie Worrall, 92075523.
MALLEE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The final submission from the Victorian
Government to the Rural Adjustment Scheme Advisory Council for Exceptional
Circumstances has been completed and will be forwarded by the Minister for
Agriculture and Resources next week. RASAC will consider the submission
before the end of March. For further information: Clay Manners, 9207 5520.
VFF ELECTION STRATEGY: The VFF General Council meeting in Melbourne on March
17 has set the organisation's strategy and policy objectives in the lead up
to the State Election likely to be held later this year. The priorities
identified by General Council were: Right to Farm Legislation, Rural
Infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, health, information technology),
Government Research and Development to support farmers, Food Safety, CMA
issues, Plant safety regulation, Health issues. The VFF will be preparing an
election kit for branches covering these and other priority issues. For
further information: Clay Manners, 92075520.
HEAVY VEHICLE REGISTRATION CHARGES: The National Road Transport Commission
is looking at introducing uniform national charges for low kilometer
vehicles including farmers trucks and special purpose vehicles which
includes agricultural tractors. There is a risk that the NRTC could
implement uniform national charges well above the charges currently levied
by Victoria. This would undo all of the good work the VFF has done
negotiating with the Victorian Government the best system of primary
producer registration charges in Australia. VFF Transport Committee chairman
John Colbert and Policy Director Clay Manners met with the NRTC on March 15.
Further information John Colbert 03 54981203.
MINING ISSUES: Perseverance Mining has registered mining claims over a
number of farmers' properties in the Bendigo region. The Chairman of the VFF
Mining sub-committee Alex Arbuthnot, and the Land Management Executive
Officer met with the Company and affected farmers on Friday March 19. The
mining sub-committee has developed experience in assisting farmers
effectively negotiate with mining companies. Further information Fiona
Lawson 03 92075525
Jennifer McMillan
RMB 4670
Denison 3858
Ph/fax +61 3 51 486 365
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