QTPA Member Alert |HAL EGM outcome – new opportunities for Australian horticulture

HAL EGM outcome – new opportunities for Australian horticulture

_________________________________________________________________________________Friday, 20 June 2014

The HAL EGM was held today, Friday 20 June 2014, in Cairns. I am pleased to report that an overwhelming majority of Members formally voted to transition HAL to a grower-owned RDC.

The EGM was called by the Board to seek endorsement from Members to progress negotiations with the Government on the HAL Review recommendations.

Today’s EGM vote reinforced the support shown by Members at the HAL May Forum that a HAL-subsidiary is a preferred transition vehicle to a grower-owned RDC, rather than the proposed Government-owned transition process, and that all current Members will be closely consulted throughout the transition process.

This result allows the Board and Members the opportunity to work together to develop an industry led proposal for discussion with the Government.

Members showed their support today for the two resolutions as follows:
Resolution 1: Members of HAL endorse Recommendation 1 of the HAL Review Report, namely: ‘Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) should over a transition period move to become a grower-owned rural Research and Development Corporation.

Result: 95% YES
Resolution 2: the Board of HAL be authorised to do all things reasonable or necessary to facilitate Resolution 1 in a timely manner, including selection and establishment of a transition vehicle, in collaboration with Government, by 3 November 2014.

Result: 97% YES
In discussions on Resolution 2, the meeting noted that the following be minuted:

• that Members who attended the Melbourne Member Forum on 28 May and the EGM today supported a HAL-subsidiary as the transition vehicle, rather than a Government-owned company, and that all current Members be closely consulted throughout the transition process.

I would like to thank everyone for their participation, support and their collaboration in taking this process forward.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me on 02 8295 2321.

Selwyn Snell
Chairman