‘Serious financial misconduct’ allegations referred to police

Administrators have issued reports to creditors and police after a month-long process and investigations into the financial irregularities of a WA farmer lobby.

Administrators have issued a report to creditors detailing the results of their month-long administration process and investigations into the financial irregularities of the PGA. Picture: File (Tony Ashby)

Administrators who have taken control of the fledging Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) of Western Australia have referred their investigation findings to WA Police.

Appointed last month, administrators RSM Australia Partners have also shared a report with PGA creditors, detailing the results of their month-long administration process and investigations into alleged financial irregularities.

Australia Partners Jerome Mohen and Greg Dudley were appointed as joint and several voluntary administrators of the PGA.

The administrators have requested WA Police they conduct further investigations as to whether there has been any criminal activity.

Mr Mohen said the PGA executive and committee worked with administrators through the process, with the creditors’ report lodged with the WA Government’s Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

“At this stage, we have received a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) proposal – a binding agreement between the PGA and creditors, which would maximise the chances of the PGA continuing to trade,” Mr Mohen said.

“We have made the recommendation to creditors that the DOCA be accepted, as it will provide better outcomes for creditors, the PGA, and its members.”

As the matter is now with the WA Police, the administrators said they will be making no further comment.

The administrators will present their recommendation on the future of the PGA at a creditors’ meeting in Perth on Friday, March 7.