Rumours being floated that the AWB may well be up to...

Rumours being floated that the AWB may well be up to unscrupulous activities again ....

Following the world wheat price rallying a whopping 20% in 2 months, the AWB's pool estimates for the current crop they have largely unsold have remain virtually unchanged. Concerns are being aired by leading grower organisations that the AWB may be 'creaming' the premiums now being realised on any forward contracting with upside insurance rather than being returned to the growers it is supposed to be working in the interests of, in anticipation of the costs likely to stem from the Cole Inquiry.

Peak groups such as the PGA are calling for transparency and full accountability. Also of concern is i9n the area of interest charges. By effectively holding onto the crop increased interest charges can also be 'creamed' out of the system. Growers who are fed up with languishing share prices, enduring the tightest budget situations for years and staring at the face of a potentially below average year with many grain growing areas 2 weeks behind normal seeding operation, are likely to not let these antics continue.

Watch the PGA fire up on this one. Seems the AWB has not learned anything out of this whole affair and cannot do any good in their hopes of retaining the Single Desk. Wilson Tuckey closely consults with the PGA and will likely use this as more ammunition to call for the abolition of the AWB's right of veto over wheat exports. A move that effectively nullifies the Single Desk.