VFF Policy Committees

Policy Council Committees Terms of Reference

Policy Council committees are not policy-making bodies. Their role is to provide recommendations on policy issues to Policy Council or, where appropriate, to the Executive Board.

Farm Business and Regional Development

Role

Farm Business and Regional Development Committee advises the Policy Council on:

• State and Federal taxation issues including income tax, financial taxes, and stamp duty
• Macro-economic management by the State and Commonwealth Governments.
• Micro-economic reform in industries servicing agriculture
• The availability and cost of finance for farmers
• Rural Adjustment issues
• Government resourcing of economic services to agriculture
• Local Government issues
• The retention and development of sustainable and profitable rural communities
• Funding and delivery of services, including health and education, to country people
• Provision of infrastructure, such as information technology, phone services, mail
• Other matters as delegated by Policy Council or the Executive Board

Current Committee members

• Mark Collins
• Christine Plant
• Geoff Crick
• Sarah Parker

Ag and Vet Chemical Committee

Role

The Ag and Vet Chemical Committee advises the Policy Council on:

• Regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Use of chemicals
• Issues that affect the pricing and availability of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Land Management Committee

Role

The Land Management Committee advises the Policy Council on:

• Natural resource issues such as native vegetation clearing, biodiversity and protection of endangered species
• Land degradation issues such as erosion control, salinity and nutrient run-off to waterways (this issue should be tackled in conjunction with the Water Resources Committee)
• Planning issues including protection of prime agricultural land, restrictions on subdivision planning, controls on "noxious industries" including siting of municipal rubbish tips
• Vermin and noxious weeds
• Overseeing and making recommendations on the VFF's involvement in landcare
• Other matters as referred by Policy Council or the Executive Board

Current Committee members

• Gerald Leach
• David Gibb
• Jane Carney
• Judy Clements
• Simon Turner
• Peter Star

Water Council

Role

The Water Council advises the Policy Council on:

• State Water Plans
• Socio Economic Impacts of Changing Water Use
• Irrigation issues
• Groundwater
• Stock and Domestic water use
• Environmental Flows
• Water Trade
• Recycled water
• Farm dams
• Other matters as referred by Policy Council or the Executive Board

Current Committee members

• Richard Anderson
• Bill McClumpha
• Bruce Vallance
• Paul Mundy
• Meg Parkinson
• Neil Gannon
• Andrew Leahy
• James Neary
• Graham Nesbit
• Peter Delahunty

Workplace Relations Committee

Role

The Workplace Relations Committee advises the Policy Council on:

• Legislation including the Workplace Relations Act and Regulations including unfair
dismissals, the Accident Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and various related Acts; • Industrial instruments such as awards and various wage related matters;
• The award modernisation process;
• Workers Compensation, premiums and superannuation
• Union matters such as union entry and any workplace issues
• Workplace education and training
• Rural skills
• Other matters as referred by Policy Council or the Executive Board

Current Committee members

• Meg Parkinson
• Sarah Parker
• Robyn Gulline
• Fiona Plant