VFF presidential candidates revealed, as members fight for voting rights
Meet the candidates who have emerged to replace Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke, as members fight for the election not to be delayed.
TWO candidates have emerged to replace Victorian Farmers Federation’s president, David Jochinke, whose four-year term expired last month.
VFF vice president and Mirboo North farmer Emma Germano is weighing up her options, saying “it seems likely I will nominate (but), I am yet to make a final decision”.
Meanwhile the Federation’s livestock group president and Ouyen farmer Leonard Vallance said he was standing for the top job.
“I stand by my record on working to implement sheep (electronic) EID, moving the industry forward on pain relief and building good supply chain relationships with processors, transporters and saleyards,” Mr Vallance said.
He acknowledged VFF livestock group membership had not risen under his leadership, but said it had “bubbled along” as everyone pitched in during difficult times to run drought and fire recovery fodder drives.
When asked about her achievements Ms Germano said “now is not an appropriate time to start a campaign for the VFF presidency, I’d see that as self indulgent and not in the members best interests”.
“Given the ‘state of disaster’ in Victoria currently, my primary focus has been to ensure that agricultural supply chains continue to function.”
VFF members were due to vote for a new president last month, but the board deferred the election until February, citing concerns about COVID-19 restrictions, despite there being no barriers to the traditional practice of running a postal ballot.
The decision has been branded a “sham” by former VFF livestock president and Orbost farmer Chris Nixon, who is spearheading a campaign demanding the elections be held by at least November.
Mr Nixon said VFF board members were “kidding themselves” if they thought Victorians were going to be free of COVID-19 restrictions by February.
“Let’s get on with it and move to hold elections,” he said. “Is the board going to act on the wishes of members and let democracy work?”
Mr Nixon said was gathering the 100 signatures needed to call for an extraordinary general meeting of members, with 40 farmers making commitments within hours of sending out an email seeking support on Saturday.
The signatories have called for a motion to be put to an EGM that states: “We the members of the VFF direct the board to hold the usual elections of the VFF this year as directed by the constitution under rule 10.2.1 which states: The elections will take place at a date specified by the Board in line with the term of office for the President and the Vice President”.
Mr Jochinke has repeatedly refused to comment on the issue, deferring to his VFF media officer, who referred back to a May 15 media release outlining the board’s original decision.
Mr Jochinke did not respond to The Weekly Times, when contacted for comment this week.
But Mr Nixon said Mr Jochinke had asked him to delay lodging the 100 signatures until 4pm Friday, so the VFF board could decide “what they wanted to do with the information”.
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