NFF release road map to reform

The National Farmers’ Federation has released a road map for reform, as it navigates increased pressures on advocacy amid a strain on current structures.

There will be some “hard conversations to have” amid any reform to the National Farmers’ Federation, president David Jochinke has said.

The NFF members’ council met on Thursday and Friday to discuss potential reforms to the national body, after a turbulent 12 months that’s seen both the Victorian Farmers Federation and NSW Farmers resign from the NFF.

In giving notice, the VFF said the NFF was “abdicating its responsibilities” by using “policy by press release” instead of effectively representing farmers. AUSVEG also quit the peak body’s horticulture council in December.

Now, the NFF has released a roadmap for its reform, including potential changes to improve membership structures, how to advocate more effectively, and resourcing.

“We just want to let people know that we are moving and not sitting on our hands,” Mr Jochinke said.

“For the farmer on the ground, we want to reassure them they will be represented, it’s just about making sure we’re doing it efficiently in a modern, contemporary way.”

National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke at Old Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The report, titled the NFF Reform Roadmap – United Advocacy Stronger Outcomes, builds on 18 months of feedback from NFF members, external reviews and The Evolution of Agricultural Advocacy report from the Australian Farm Institute.

With only about 60 per cent of the core advocacy budget for the NFF funded by membership fees, Mr Jochinke said a “fair chunk” of the members council’s time was spent looking at the power representation structure, including where revenue comes from.

“We want to tackle that income revenue side of things, but also acknowledge that there’s a lot of stress on our members,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Some can afford to pay a little bit more, some have been in hardship for an extended period of time, and we need to make sure the model can have as many people fit as possible.

“The new model might not get everyone in the tent, not because of the will or wanting to be there, but the cost base that we require might make it difficult.”

Some of the other contemporary challenges identified in the report include a more complex and diverse agricultural sector, increasing pressures on advocacy, and the strain on the current NFF structures.

As for whether any reforms could bring the Victorian Farmers Federation or NSW Farmers back into the fold, Mr Jochinke said the NFF was cognisant of funding issues for the groups, and that it would be looking at efficiencies that can be gained across all organisations.

“Are there ways we can either share services or provide better services to their members’ members? So grow the pie, not just squeeze what we’ve got,” he said.

Member and stakeholder consultations are expected to take place across June and July, with the final suite of reforms to be presented to members at the annual general meeting later in the year.