News

Cattle Council AGM to see independent directors, new president

James Nason, 01/10/2014

The Cattle Council of Australia’s annual general meeting in November will see some major changes to past years.

For the first time in the council’s 35-year history, CCA members will vote on nominees for two newly created independent board seats.

The 2014 AGM will also involve the election of a new president. CCA confirmed to Beef Central this week that after three years as CCA president, South Australian cattleman Andrew Ogilvie has decided not to re-stand for another term.

CCA said the new president can be elected from current board members or members of the council’s four consultative committees.

Asked if any nominees for president have yet been received, CCA chief executive officer Jed Matz told us that the council “will not be able to know who stands for president until the day of the AGM”.

As mentioned, for the first time since opening to direct membership in January 2014, CCA members will have the opportunity at this year’s AGM to vote for two independent cattle producers to sit on the CCA board.

The CCA is now calling for nominations from cattle producers who wish to sit on the CCA board to represent the interests of the Australian beef production industry.

In response to Beef Central’s questions this week, CCA has provided the following details on how voting at this year’s AGM will work:

  • All board positions are up for nomination this year as it is the first AGM under Cattle Council’s new constitution. “As this is the first election all board positions are up for election, some for one year, some for two,” Mr Matz said. “As we are trying to get the entire board on two year terms, with half going each year, next year only half the board will be up for election.
  • Founding Members (State Farm Organisation (SFO) members) nominate their board member but all direct members will vote to ratify that nomination. Effectively the membership has the right to reject an SFO nomination.”
  • In addition to the current board positions nominated by state members, two direct board member board positions will also be elected at this meeting – one from the north and one from the south.
  • Written nominations for board positions must also be received by 15 October 2014 with direct membership nominations supported by at least 20 direct members. (CCA has told Beef Central that if a nominee wishes, CCA will circulate their nomination to all direct members to seek support from 20 of them. “We also encourage potential nominees to approach producers and encourage them to become a direct members to support the nomination. It is free for SFO members and $110 for non-SFO members and only takes five minutes online to do,” Mr Matz said.
  • Direct Members will be elected by all founding members and direct members. In these instances founding members (SFO) are members too, but only have one vote like any other member.
  • This year’s AGM will be the first held under CCA’s new constitution introduced in January.
  • Under the changes the CCA board has been reduced to 8 seats, one each founding member (AgForce, NSW Farmers, VFF, SA Livestock, TGFA, WAFF, PGA of WA and NTCA) able to nominate one board member each.
  • The constitution allows CCA to expand the board to include two seats for independently elected board members once the number of direct members exceeds 200.

Beef Central understand the number of direct members has not yet reached 200 but is very close, and the Council is confident the number will be reached before the AGM. The fact that there will now be the opportunity to elect two new independent directors to the CCA board is also expected to attract more direct paying members.

In a statement released yesterday, CCA president Andrew Ogilvie said this year’s AGM will signify an exciting new era for the council.

“It has been an eventful year for grassfed beef producers. One of the recurring themes we hear is that grassfed producers seek greater ownership of their industry. This AGM presents that opportunity with two direct members being elected for the first time.”

“Direct Members are entitled to express an interest to sit on one of Cattle Council’s policy Consultative committees, one of the key initiatives over the past 18 months that has led to more robust policy being developed for the industry and improved corporate structures for our board.”

“It is not too late to sign up to be involved. Producers can sign up on Cattle Council’s website to become a direct member and I would encourage all producers to do this so that they can have their say on matters of national importance for their industry. It is not Cattle Council’s industry – it’s yours,” Mr Ogilvie said.

The Cattle Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at 8am on Wednesday 12 November 2014 in North Sydney.

Important links

To apply as a direct member of Cattle Council: http://www.cattlecouncil.com.au/user/register

To nominate as an Independent Board Member download nomination form here: http://www.cattlecouncil.com.au/user/login

 

 

 

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