Committees

Chairman -  Mr Tony Seabrook – pga@pgaofwa.org.au   Ph +61 8 9479 4599

RED TAPE REDUCTION GROUP

The PGA is the State agricultural consultancy group on the WA Government’s Red Tape Reduction Group, which has been established to identify and report on opportunities to reduce the burden of existing State regulation and red tape on businesses and consumers.

The PGA is committed to identifying the regulations and red tape that should be removed or reduced by the State Government and recommending practical measures to alleviate the compliance costs of red tape on farming operations.

ECONOMIC REGULATORY AUTHORITY CONSUMER CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

The PGA is an active member of the WA State Government Economic Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Committee (ERACC), which works with other industry leaders in providing comment to the ERA on issues effecting consumers which fall under the Authority’s administration of the Economic Regulation Act 2003.

The PGA is instrumental in ensuring that the prices offered by the owners of monopoly infrastructure such as gas, electricity, water and rail, are properly assessed and comply with The Act.

FARM INPUT TASK FORCE

The PGA was one of founders of the WA Farm Input Task Force which works with the Farm Business Development of the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA in reviewing on farm input prices such as fertiliser, fuel, herbicides and stock chemicals.

The PGA is committed to ensuring that all WA growers and producers are aware of the importance in implementing productivity and profitability programs on their farming operation.

ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS

The PGA was the only farmers group that participated in the first joint submission prepared by RSM Bird Cameron to the State Government on Royalties For Regions and continues to lobby the State Government to ensure that monies under the Royalties For Regions program are allocated to those infrastructure projects such as road, rail and ports; as well as health care and education, which will provide tangible benefits to regional and rural communities. 

LEVIES

The PGA is a strong supporter of a free market which promotes choice and competition for farmers; and remains committed to ensuring that the liability placed on farmers through the introduction of levies is reduced.

The PGA has called for a cessation of those levies which have been considered redundant, such as the Skeleton Weed Levy, as well as on proposed levies such as the APC Tomato Grower levy.

The PGA has also called for greater accountability in research and development levies and for these levy payers to have a greater say in how and where they wish to see their monies spent.

UTILITIES

The PGA is a member of the Agriculture Consultative Committee, which was formed by Western Power with the aim of achieving better communication with growers especially over the extension of lines.

The PGA also participates on the annual review of the Western Australian Energy Ombudsman Scheme.

EMPLOYMENT

The PGA is a contributing member of the Agriculture Production Working Group and also represents members at the AIRC Award Modernisation Process for the shearing and pastoralist industry. 

The PGA has also placed submissions to the Commonwealth Government on 457 visas, which would allow temporary short stay visa farm workers to return on a yearly basis.

FEDERAL DROUGHT POLICY REVIEW

The PGA was the architect of the Farm Management Deposit Scheme and regularly places submissions to and attends hearings with the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Government Drought Support.

The PGA is currently preparing a submission regarding Income Contingent Loans as a basis for drought relief.

CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME

Arguing the case for scientific evidence over political bantering, the PGA has placed submissions to and attended hearings with the Australian Government regarding the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and proposed Emissions Trading Scheme.

The PGA is also a contributing member of the Commonwealth Government’s Agriculture Sector Review Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA External Reference Group on Climate Change.

DUTIES ACT

The PGA brought to the attention of the new State Government Treasurer the inconsistency of the amendment to stamp duty exemptions on farm transfers in the Duties Act 2008.