WA farmer group hit by alleged ‘serious financial misconduct’

One of Western Australia’s leading farmer lobby groups has fallen into financial strife, with staff stepping aside and membership fees stopped.

One of Western Australia’s leading farmer lobby groups has fallen into financial strife following revelations of “serious financial misconduct” within the organisation.

It can be revealed the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia has stopped taking membership fees while staff will step away following the discovery of the misconduct.

“The PGA Executive and Committee members have recently become aware of serious financial misconduct within its organisation,” the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia said in a statement seen by The Weekly Times.

“The PGA acknowledges there is a financial deficit in our current modelling and are working hard to scope and rectify it.

“The PGA has engaged professional support to assist it in rectifying the current issues. In the short term personnel within the PGA will be stepping aside.

“The PGA plans to pause taking membership fees until it is confident that it can provide the premium service it prides itself on.

“While the PGA works to develop an accurate assessment of its financial position it asks for your patience and that you deal with facts and not innuendo or rumour.”

The PGA did not say which staff would be stepping aside or what the extent of the financial deficit was in their statement. The organisation has been contacted for further comment.

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia has been an active voice in discussion about ongoing WA agricultural issues, such as the phase-out of live sheep exports and the fuel excise rebate.

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia president is Tony Seabrook.

“As an organisation of long standing and credible reputation in the WA regional and rural community the PGA is committed to focusing all its efforts in righting these issues,” the organisation also said in the statement.

“The PGA is an association of volunteers who give their time and expertise to promote and serve our industry without financial recompense.

“The PGA is determined to preserve the history, reputation and ability of the PGA to continue to fight for agriculture.

“While it cannot be assured of success within the necessary short time frame it will be focusing on solutions and breaking the big problems into smaller ones.”