ABC WA COUNTRY HOUR | Grains levy review results present opportunity for change

Following the release of results of a national survey of grain producers by representative group Grain Producers Australia, ABC WA Country Hour explored the outcomes.

GPA Research and Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said growers have sent a clear message through the independent levy survey, with 76 percent of verified participants supporting a reduction in the GRDC levy and a small increase to the biosecurity levy.

He says the result reflects long-held concerns about the scale of GRDC reserves, which now sit at around $730 million in cash and roughly a billion dollars in broader assets.

Mr Weidemann says growers want action after years of discussion about levy settings and the growing mismatch between collections and spending. He notes that GRDC has increased annual investment and undertaken a right-sizing review, but many growers remain worried that some of this spending will not translate into real on-farm outcomes.

He confirmed GPA has formally given the results to the Minister, in line with the required process, and is now waiting for government guidance on next steps. Depending on that response, he says the issue may move to a full levy-payer vote for the first time.

He also believes a strong harvest this season will push reserves even higher, reinforcing the need to pause collections at current levels and reset the levy rate.

WA Farmers Grain Council President Mark Fowler says the survey results confirm what WA groups have been hearing consistently from growers, that the levy reserves are too high and the rate needs to be reviewed.

WA growers were heavily represented in the survey, making up 44 percent of responses, and 81 percent of those supported a reduction.

Mr Fowler stressed that WA’s position is stronger than the national question put by GPA.

He says the west is calling for a deeper initial cut to bring GRDC reserves down to about $250 million before moving to a more regular, periodic review model.

He also argues the process should be more transparent for growers, including clearer accounting of the levy deduction at the point of sale.

He says the Minister may choose to modify the levy rate based on the evidence already presented, or may require a full poll of levy payers. If that happens, he encourages growers to engage, noting that many remain unaware of the size of the reserves or how much levy they contribute.

Mr Fowler implored growers to engage with where their levy contributions go and what implications this has for the industry is R&D reserves continue to grow.

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