THE WEEKLY TIMES | Grain growers call for levy review as GRDC reserves climb

Grain growers are calling to have levy rates reviewed following news the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) revenue will surpass $1 billion in the next financial year.

Grain Producers Australia Chief Executive Colin Bettles told The Weekly Times that the industry was a victim of its own success due to significant crop production years and adjusting levy rates could put the money to better use.

“The numbers in Treasury keep going up, it’s become a self-feeding beast. Why can’t we have some flexibility? We need to look at how we put it to work for growers,” Mr Bettles said.

“Let’s democratise a fraction of the levy money, let growers decide how it’s spent.”

Mr Bettles said GPA has been reviewing levy rates since October 2022 and was hoping to present an alternative to Agriculture Minister Julie Collins’ office within the next few months.

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