GPA TO CONTINUE LEVY REFORM ADVOCACY FOLLOWING MINISTER RESPONSE

Grain Producers Australia will continue advocating for a contemporary grains levy following advice from the Federal Minister for Agriculture regarding the organisation’s proposal to adjust levy settings. 

The Minister’s response follows recent Senate Estimates questioning HERE, where the progress of GPA’s levy review and the broader issue of grains levy settings were raised at a national level. 

GPA Chair Barry Large said while the Minister had advised she was not in a position to support the proposal in its current form, the broader case for ongoing levy reform remained strong. 

“This work has always been about making sure growers have a clear and direct voice in how their levies are structured and used,” Mr Large said. 

“We respect the Minister’s response, but the issues that led to this review have not gone away. 

“It should be a concern for every grain producer that reserves with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) are set to reach $1 billion this year.” 

GPA commenced its levy review in 2022 to examine whether the current grains levy system remained fit-for-purpose for a modern and expanding industry, including analysis of levy settings, long-term sustainability and transparency around grower funds. 

Over the course of the process, GPA undertook extensive consultation across the grains sector and commissioned an independent national survey to better understand grower sentiment on levy settings.  

Mr Large said the process had provided an important opportunity for growers to directly express views on how levy funds are structured and allocated. HERE 

“Growers are increasingly focused on transparency, strong returns on investment and ensuring levy settings evolve alongside the industry,” he said. 

While the proposal has not progressed in its current form, Mr Large said the review had delivered an important outcome by bringing levy transparency and grower involvement into sharper national focus. 

“For the first time in many years, levy settings and how they operate have been actively tested at a national level,” he said. 

“That conversation is now firmly underway.” 

Mr Large said GPA would now place a strong focus on working with GrainGrowers Limited (GGL) and other

industry partners to progress the next phase of levy reform discussions. 

“GPA and GrainGrowers share a clear goal of ensuring growers have a strong and unified voice in how levy funds

are structured and used,” he said. 

“Working together gives us the best opportunity to progress practical pathways that improve transparency, accountability and long-term outcomes for levy-paying growers.” 

Mr Large said GPA would carefully consider the Minister’s feedback and continue engaging constructively with government and industry as discussions around levy settings evolve. 

“Policy reform of this scale is rarely achieved in a single step,” he said. 

“Our role is to represent growers and keep advocating for arrangements that deliver long-term value back to farm businesses and a strong, sustainable grains industry. 

“We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure growers’ voices stay central to future discussions on levy settings.” 

Further information on GPA’s levy review work is available at www.grainproducers.com.au/grains-levy-review 

ENDS 

Further Information: 

GPA Chair Barry Large: 0427 549 023 

GPA Executive Officer Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193