Grains Council demands to see the service contract now Friday, 1 September 2006
The Grains Council of Australia is demanding AWB immediately release a copy of the services agreement that could result in millions of dollars coming out of the National Pool to pay for penalties that may be incurred from the Cole Commission.
The GCA says participants in the national wheat pool have a right to see the current Services Agreement between AWB Limited wholly owned subsidiaries, AWB Services and AWB International, now rather than when a new agreement is drawn up and released next month.
GCA vice chairman, Ian Hastings, says the explanation by AWB of the "break fee" provisions in the Services Agreement is not satisfactory.
"GCA, as the peak body representing growers, is calling for the public release of the current Services Agreement," he said.
"This secret agreement has been in place since October 2004 and was the subject of a damning assessment by the Government's watchdog, the Wheat Export Authority.
"Our members have a right to know what liabilities they may face if they place their soon to be harvested wheat in the export pool."
The WEA has said the agreement had the potential to adversely affect grower returns, which would puts the agreement in conflict with both the AWB Constitution and the Wheat Marketing Act.
