2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Incorporated Advancing and Protecting the Interests of Cattle Producers in the Northern Territory NFF Report cont. Water Water and water security discussions go hand in hand with climate change. On 25th January 2007, the Prime Minister released his National Water Plan for water security and $10 billion dollars to activate its implementation. NFF has undertaken a significant workload in responding to the Plan, and in particular, the positioning of the Agricultural sector to ensure appropriate implementation. This positioning incorporates some general principles on which NFF is not negotiable. NFF has set up an Industry Working Group that is open to all interested stakeholders. This group will consult, collaborate and take collective action on issues of mutual importance and agreement. NFF has a role to act not only on the interests of its members, but also to act as a conduit for others. As always, this Industry Group does not set Policy but reports to the NFF Water Committee, who in turn report to the Policy Council where NTCA’s right hand is just as important as the NSW or Victorian Farmers vote. It’s just that when Chairmen of these Committees are elected, we only get 1 vote and others get 10 or more, depending of their NFF financial contributions. On behalf of NTCA, I’m happy with this, but some others are not. I have commented earlier on NHT 3, Environmental Stewardship Programmes and Climate Change. No doubt we will hear more on these topics tomorrow. Telecommunications Telecommunications will certainly be discussed tomorrow. I know Telstra are a major sponsor of ours, however right now they are struggling. Their Next Generation System is picking up competitors’ signals resulting in distortion. CDMA transmission will be switched off at the end of February 2008. They still have a lot of work to do on their mobile phones, their suitability, attachments and car kit availability. NFF has a good rappore with Telstra, so here’s hoping Telstra get their act together in time. NFF’s advice is to leave your new mobile phone purchases as late as possible. The Farm Business and Economic Committee reported on issues I’ve already discussed. Other issues they commented on included: Management Investment Schemes, Biofuels, Food Regulation and Bio-technology. My personal position on MISs is that they are acceptable for the forestry industry, but for our Pastoral Industry they should work under exactly the same ATO rulings that all station enterprises work under. If MIS can write off project expenses, eg cost of purchasing a property, then so should we be able to. What has happened is that MISs have distorted the value of properties. My question to NTCA is this: “Is this good or bad?” Interestingly the bank managers have never been more friendly. Over the next 12 to 18 months the existing State and Territory Governments Moratoria on GM food production will end. Here is a challenge for NTCA and NFF to influence future direction. My personal thoughts are that we have to encourage more discussion, research and flexibility on all things genetically modified. Trade Trade Negotiations – I’ll leave for David Crombie tomorrow. NT snails move quicker but we have to keep going forward. World attitudes are slowly changing. Workplace relations This Committee has nothing new to report. NFF has applied for new funding to help a coordinated Work Choice Agreements. This could be a whole new ball game after the election later this year. In summary, it has been a challenging year for NFF. I hope NTCA appreciates the efforts of NFF on their behalf. I feel strongly that NTCA needs NFF, but the pressure is increasing on all State Farm Organisations to cut costs and so NFF affiliations fees are coming under scrutiny. Perhaps the comment of the week was a motion from PGA that half of all Western Australian shires were bankrupt and that pastoral rents were seen as the cash cow. PGA moved that all pastoral rate increases be tied to Cost Price Index (CPI). And we know that the NT has not yet been rated. I enjoy the challenge of representing NT pastoralists in the national arena and I thank you all for your confidence and support. Above all thanks to my family, who are my greatest back-up. However it is time to think about my replacement, whom I am happy to help through the initial unknown corridors. That concludes my Report Mr President. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. John Underwood Riveren Station, 25th March 2007 In summary, it has been a challenging year for NFF. I hope NTCA appreciates the efforts of NFF on their behalf. Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Year in review 2006-2007 31
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2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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