NFF’s travel expenses more than double in as many years

The NFF’s travel bill has hit an all-time high, coinciding with a recent trip to a global climate conference.

Travel expenses for farming’s peak lobby group have almost tripled in two years, helped along by sending delegations to climate conferences in Dubai and Azerbaijan.

The National Farmers’ Federation spent $454,399 on travel expenses last financial year, up 165 per cent from 2022.

Historically, the organisation has spent about $180,000 on travel each year, according to annual reports.

When asked to explain the jump, acting NFF chief executive Charlie Thomas said the NFF’s team had grown, with new roles created in the regions instead of its Canberra headquarters.

“While a more regional team brings significant advantages, it does increase travel costs,” Mr Thomas said.

“As we’ve brought the NFF onto a more sustainable financial footing, we’ve also been able to re-engage with global forums such as the World Farmers’ Organisation – which we had stepped away from for some years.”

Global events are now par for the course for the NFF, which sends a delegation to the annual United Nations’ climate conference.

Last year’s conference was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and was attended by the NFF’s natural resource management general manager Warwick Ragg and then chief executive Tony Mahar.

Former chief executive of the National Farmers' Federation Tony Mahar speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

The NFF has not responded when asked whether the pair travelled on business class airfares, or what accommodation they stayed in.

In 2023, Mr Mahar and NFF president David Jochinke spent four days in Dubai for the conference, commonly referred to as COP, “to ensure the voice of Australian farmers is heard in this key multilateral forum”.

The Australian Forestry Products Association and Farmers for Climate Action also attended the Dubai conference.

“We need to be in the room for these conversations about our industry, so we can put forward Australian farmers’ views, share what we are doing in the face of a changing climate and make sure farmers are involved in making the decisions that affect them,” Mr Jochinke said at the time.

The NFF’s revenue from membership fees is expected to take a hit this coming financial year, as multiple members including the Victorian Farmers’ Federation and Cattle Australia, pay a reduced subscription fee.

Grains farmer Andrew Weidemann said it was important the NFF showed a return on its travel expenses for members.

“Is there value in sending two people? Members will rightly start asking questions about increasing costs,” he said.

Andrew Byron, who runs his family’s mixed farming operation at Willaura, said attending was one thing, “but not a team (of people), one is enough”.