AWI under fire from some industry leaders as WoolPoll votes delayed

Wool growers in WA and isolated parts of the eastern states are yet to receive their WoolPoll voting papers as the deadline to vote looms.

WoolProducers Australia president Ed Storey stressed the importance of voting for levy paying wool growers.

Concerns have been raised about delays limiting voting for some wool growers who are yet to receive their voting papers for this years WoolPoll.

Reports of delays in Western Australia and some isolated parts of the eastern states have been put down to postal disruptions and delays resulting from Covid restrictions, which have been acknowledged by Australian Wool Innovation and the independent WoolPoll panel.

“All the documents have been with Australia Post so the delay has been with the postal services being able to deliver them in a timely manner,” Chair of the independent WoolPoll Panel Steven Bolt said.

“It’s definitely not ideal but we were anticipating some delay which is why we have really focused on making growers aware of their ability to vote online, but I do understand that’s not practical for all growers,” Mr Bolt said.

The Australian Wool Growers’ Association has lashed out at AWI for a lack of foresight and transparency in relation to the routine three-year WoolPoll vote.

“We’ve had 18 months of coronavirus, we know delays take place and it’s a lack of foresight by AWI. They should have been sent out weeks beforehand,” President Australian Wool Growers’ Association Rob McBride said.

“A lot of people haven’t received their paperwork and I think it’s very unprofessional,” Mr McBride said.

Mr McBride said the delays were a great concern if the voting does not display an accurate representation of levy paying wool growers in Australia.

“There’s some wonderful candidates up for election and if people don’t get their paperwork, they don’t get a say. This needs to be seriously looked at because elections are supposed to be free and uninhibited and this could affect the outcome of the election,” he said.

Mr McBride said the issues surrounding the voting this year are not knew but have been compounded by Covid restrictions.

“It’s been a problem for many years and now its noticeable, and without transparency you won’t see change,” he said.

WoolProducers Australia president Ed Storey reinforced how important the levy payers votes were.

“It is potentially a big issue if you think you’re entitled to a vote and you haven’t got your papers,” Mr Storey said.

“There is the online option but they need they levy payer number or their required log in details to vote online.”

“There might be extenuating circumstances, but it is important and I urge growers and levy payers to chase up with AWI, empower themselves to vote and make sure they are contactable,” Mr Storey said.