Victorian Farmers Federation election delay labelled a ‘sham’
Past and current VFF directors have raised concerns over the decision to delay elections due to COVID-19, despite there being no barriers to sending postal ballots out to members.
VICTORIAN farmers fear they are being denied the right to vote for a new leader.
Under the Victorian Farmers Federation constitution current president David Jochinke, who was elected in July 2016, can sit for a maximum of four years.
But the VFF board has deferred the election until February, citing concerns about COVID-19 restrictions, despite there being no barriers to the traditional practice of sending postal ballots out to members.
Some VFF members are starting to query why the election has been deferred for six months, given postal ballots are being used in the Eden-Monaro federal by-election this Saturday and Victorian local government elections in October.
“There’s no excuse for not having an election,” former VFF director Chris Nixon said. “It’s a sham.”
Clause 10.2.1 of the VFF constitution 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”, which is two two-year terms.
The VFF issued a statement this week, stating clause 10.2.1 granted them the power to defer the elections and “our members desire the opportunity to engage with candidates through physical candidate forums”.
Former VFF vice president and current member Brett Hosking said it was good to run candidate forums, but COVID-19 had taught rural communities they could do a lot online.
While not wanting to comment on the VFF election process, Mr Hosking said “we have to think in agriculture how we can do things, regardless of COVID”.
Other members, including current directors have questioned the delay, with one raising concerns it may be linked to Mr Jochinke’s bid to maintain his profile in the lead-up to seeking a second term as National Farmers’ Federation vice-president at its November elections.
Mr Jochinke needs the backing of the VFF board to regain the NFF vice presidency, which could change dramatically, depending on who replaces him.
The two leading contenders for the VFF presidency are Mr Jochinke’s ally and current vice-president Emma Germano, while VFF Livestock president Leonard Vallance stands on the sideline.
Two weeks prior to the COVID-19 restrictions coming into force in March, Mr Jochinke told The Weekly Times the elections would be delayed due to the VFF board instigating an internal review that may lead to a restructure.
In an email to Mr Jochinke last week The Weekly Times asked: why the review had been delayed until the last few months of his term and if it was linked to his NFF re-election bid.
He failed to respond to these questions.
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