VFF brings election forward

VFF member Chris Nixon, Orbost, had delivered the VFF board an ultimatum to announce its decision by Friday or face an EGN.

The collection of the member 100 signatures needed to trigger an EGN had been well underway, he said.

"I've been out on the farm all morning, so I don't know if we got there yet but, if not, we would have easily had the numbers over the weekend," he said.

He said he was glad commonsense had prevailed and the constitution had been observed.

"I'm very pleased that we didn't have to go through the needless, endless press that would have brought," Mr Nixon said.

The VFF constitution says elections of its president and vice president as well as the Livestock Group and United Dairyfarmers of Victoria presidents must be held in even-numbered years.

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Mr Nixon had also been concerned that the chief executive, whose role is being advertised, might have been replaced before a new president was elected.

"I would have preferred the elections be held 60 days from today so that everyone can get on with life and not procrastinate too long but I am happy that at least we are having the elections this year," he said.

"The constitution states that from the calling of elections, there must be a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 days, so I would expect the elections to be held in November, not December.

"I hope the current CEO will continue in his position until the new president is elected and can have some input into the selection process for the new CEO."

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In April, the board postponed VFF elections and conferences, citing the uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on physical gatherings and concern for the health of its members, staff and the organisation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the VFF said the board had also "endeavoured to align the election and conference with our member's production cycles and decided it would review its position by 1st December 2020."

"Due to the ongoing nature of COVID-19 restrictions, the VFF will unfortunately be unable to combine the election with the conference as has been tradition.

"We have considered all options to enable engagement with our membership in conducting the election within the shortest practical timeframe."

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