THE peak body representing avocado growers has fired some pointed questions at the newly established Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA).
HIA is the reincarnation of Horticulture Australia Limited after a third-party review earlier this year suggested major changes to the organisation.
In a lengthy media statement, Avocados Australia said during the creation of HIA many questions about the changes remain unanswered.
It says many growers (levy payers) are concerned that the changes are being planned with insufficient industry consultation or communication.
Avocados Australia says the previous Research and Development Corporation model in horticulture provided a strong relationship between the industry services body (HAL) and the levy payers.
“Until now this relationship has ensured that levy investments clearly address the key strategic priorities of the industry, not individuals,” the statement said.
“The leaders of the Australian avocado industry expect that HIA will consult closely with the industry body that represents the vast majority of avocado levy payers in Australia.
“However consultation so far has been minimal, at best, and the change ahead needs to become more transparent.
“However, like levy-payers, Avocados Australia has not been given the opportunity to provide input to how the new company might operate.
“At this point in time, HIA is accountable only to the Minister and the Department of Agriculture, yet its purpose is to deliver better outcomes for levy payers.”
The new HIA board was welcomed by the Federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce in October last year, and the organisation was declared in late November with its Statutory Funding Agreement and Constitution also finalised.
HIA received all of HAL’s industry assets and liabilities through a declaration that came into effect on November 4.
Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce described the formation of HIA as the beginning of a new era for horticulture, with those who pay production levies to also become the owners of the new industry services body, as opposed to the previous governance arrangements in which the former industry services body was owned by 43 peak industry bodies.
“I am confident that this new model – recommended by an independent review by ACIL Allen – will deliver even greater transparency and accountability to levy payer owners and give them a real say in how their levy funds are invested as well as the outcomes they want to achieve for their industries,” Mr Joyce said.
“In 2013-14, the Australian Government paid $42 million of the $82 million in total for eligible horticulture research and development delivered by the former industry services body, Horticulture Australia Limited. I expect this value to rise as the value of horticulture production also rises.”
According to HIA CEO John Lloyd, HIA is now in a position to begin establishing a robust membership base that is representative of the full spectrum of Australian horticulture industries across all growing regions.
“With HIA being a grower-owned company, establishing a grower registry to communicate to our members is a key priority moving forward,” Mr Lloyd said.
“There are many benefits in becoming a member, including the opportunity for growers to have a say in the leadership and future direction of Australia’s new horticulture RDC.
“Members will also be invited to attend information forums, field days and workshops held around the country.”
Avocados Australia says it is completely justified that many growers are seeking better transparency in a process that is going to alter the current system that has worked for them.
“Why are organisations like ourselves not being properly consulted through this change when we are grower-led, grower-directed and grower owned?” Avocados Australia CEO John Tyas said.
“If growers lose confidence in the system that is managing their hard earned levies then they will begin to question their support.”
