Gavan Herlihy National Agriculture Spokesperson

4 October 2001

National welcomes Wool Board disestablishment

National Agriculture spokesman Gavan Herlihy tonight welcomed news that the Wool Board would be seeking legislation to repeal the Wool Board Act.

"Disestablishment of the Wool Board will mark the end of a reform process that wool growers have vociferously demanded. While there has been a lot of debate, progress has been breathtakingly slow.

"The announcement of the formation of an investment company to hold the majority of the Board's assets will undoubtedly generate further debate.

"But farmers will be able to exercise choice as to whether they hold their share of assets, or alternatively sell up and cash their share of the Wool Board's assets that include the hotly debated reserves. No longer will statutory protection deny farmers access to their share of Board funds.

"National applauds moves to a more commercial structure and urges wool growers to exercise their democratic right at the coming Wool Board AGM.

"It's time for the talking to stop and progress to be made," Mr Herlihy said.

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