Australian Beef Association Chairman, and Northern New South Wales Farmer Brad Bellinger (pictured) writes:
The NFF expressing its dismay at the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) decision to increase minimum & award rates of pay by $21.66 per week, illustrates its silver-tail allegiance and lack of understanding of the structure of Australian agriculture.
They have supported the big end of town, in the same way that they have worked with the supermarket duopsony, as it robs farmers with huge mark-ups on their products.
NFF staff should leave their sheltered Canberra cocoon and visit the country town offices of the Salvation Army, the Smith Family and the Rural Counselors to see what a mess the real farming community is in.
They should read the recent report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the Australian National University, and La Trobe University. This report shows the results of a survey of 8,000 people and illustrates the rural depression that has developed under the watch of the NFF.
The study reveals that drought’s effect has been worse than expected. It shows that 21 per cent of farmers in drought-affected areas have had to pawn or sell something in 2006, compared with 16 per cent of farmers in below-average-rainfall areas.
Four percent of farmers had to miss meals because of lack of money. This was 2006! the past 18 months has seen the problem become far more serious, as the record farm debt explodes.
The NFF needs to understand that most farmers don’t employ people - they look for part-time jobs to try and make their farm a viable one.
The supposed swing to corporate faming is also a myth as AMP, Prudential, Squire Group and others leave the industry and the AA Co appears to be struggling.
From the 1890’s shearers’ strike on, the Graziers Association obsession with holding down shearers’ wages got rid of shearers and farmhands; - it seems that NFF has learnt nothing. Their staff should be stuffed and exhibited as museum pieces.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Have Your say! Do you think Brads criticism of the NFF is fair or do you believe that the NFF as the peak Australian Farm Body is doing a good job.
Related Posts
- TV Election Expose National Farmers Federation as Victims of Own Deregulationist Policies.
- National Farmers Federation Must Save Australian Agriculture.
- Rural Australia needs Intelligent Politicians in Canberra With Inpedendent Views
- Liberals Betray Nationals & Rural Australia
- Elders Rural Price Gouge Farmers to Save Futuris
Tags: Brad Bellinger, NFF
Brad,
good on you, Henry ford understood that his workers needed to be paid decent money so they could be good consumers, the nff have led us to where we are and no longer represent Australia’s farmers. Their ideas should have been burried in concrete after the great depression.
Keep up the good work
Rowell Walton