VFF issues writ in County Court against former Grains Group president over $135,000 debt

The Victorian Farmers Federation has commenced action following a failed legal bid to remove the organisation’s leadership late last year.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Victorian Farmers Federation has lodged a case against the leader of a renegade division of the state farming organisation for allegedly failing to pay $135,000 associated with their failed bid to oust its president and vice president.

On behalf of the VFF, Maddocks lawyers filed a writ on June 27 in the Victorian County Court against Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann for failing to pay the debt on time.

Mr Weidemann led a failed legal challenge in December last year to remove VFF president Emma Germano and vice president Danyel Cucinotta.

Their Federal Court bid was fuelled by anger over the VFF’s cashing out of the Grains Group’s $9.7 million deed poll fund to pay off borrowings, the cutting of commodity staffing and legal action against dairy farmer members.

Ms Germano confirmed the VFF had issued legal proceedings against Mr Weidemann, “but due to ongoing legal proceedings, at this stage we won’t comment further”.

The writ, seen by The Weekly Times, state Mr Weideman and VFF directors agreed the Rupanyup farmer would pay $135,000 to the VFF by June 15.

Legal documents claim this payment is outstanding, however Mr Weideman on Wednesday said the debt had been paid and the funds should appear in the VFF’s account today.

It is expected that the proceedings would be dropped if the debt is paid.