S5 Ep30: Farmers Fighting Fund chair, Hugh Nivison

In the 1980s, farmers were concerned that union intransigence and rigidity, as exemplified by the Mudginberri dispute, threatened the future of Australian agriculture and industry productivity in general.

However, creating new standards is an expensive proposition.

In 1985, the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund was formed, forged in the industrial battlefield of Mudgenberri and backed by a rally of 45,000 farmers in Canberra to protest the impact of high taxes and escalating interest rates on rural business.

Hugh Nivison

Mudgenberri presented the opportunity for the NFF, with AFFF support, to challenge and defeat the old, inward-looking standards that had long passed their used-by date.

Farmers ‘put their hands in their pockets’ for the cause, raising millions of dollars. Half the money raised was donated by non-farming businesses that supported the NFF’s challenge to injustices.

Those funds are still working for Australian farmers today, fighting issues that would set disturbing precedents for farmers, regional communities and Australia as a whole.

In today’s podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Fighting Fund chairman Hugh Nivison.

How much does the fund currently contain? How are decisions made about where and when the funds are spent? Can it be used for government lobby purposes? These are just some of the topics discussed.

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One – the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.

Previous episodes:

Series 5:

Series 4: