South-west ag reps join high-level Canberra talks - Warrnambool Standard

June 22, 2013, 4 a.m.

A BILL calling for a new reconstruction arm of the Reserve Bank of Australia has been tabled in Canberra.

Independent MP Bob Katter tabled the bill on Monday, calling for the establishment of a Reconstruction and Development Board under the bank’s umbrella.

The bill proposes a reconstruction board provide a sustainable source of funding for at-risk Australian agriculture and associated industries.

Tabling of the bill coincided with the Rural Debt Roundtable meeting in Canberra this week where producers from many farming sectors met with key politicians.

Warrnambool dairy consultant Mike Hamblin and agribusiness accountant Garry Smith represented south-west dairy farmers. They were joined by representatives from Western Australian grain growers, South Australian grain and dairy, northern Australian beef producers and Victorian and NSW horticulture.

Also present was Mark McGovern, a senior economics lecturer at the University of Technology, Queensland, who was later invited with roundtable chairman Rowell Walton to meet with the Reserve Bank and the Australian Bankers’ Association to discuss the proposed bill.

Mr Hamblin and Mr Smith said they were surprised by the reception the group received and the level of awareness of problems within agriculture by politicians of all persuasions.

About 30 delegates attended a series of meetings with key politicians. Among those who spoke to the group were Treasurer Wayne Swan, Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, their shadow counterparts Joe Hockey and John Cobb, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Western Australian Senator Chris Back, NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash and independent Senator Nick Xenophon.

Mr Hamblin said agitation by Farmer Power had been a key element in getting the attention of Canberra.

“They got the attention of Bob Katter who came down to one of their rallies. That got national media attention. Canberra now knows there is a serious sustainability problem across our agricultural industries,” he said.

shynes@fairfaxmedia.com.au