New executive role to push interests of association

In a bid to increase the voice of the north, the Kimberley branch of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association will appoint an executive officer.

The move was supported at last Friday’s meeting of pastoralists in Broome and has resulted in the formation of a 10-member executive steering group.

PGA Kimberley chairman Peter Camp said they would still be under the PGA banner with the focus of pushing the north and local issues.

“We are 3000km from Perth and a lot of the issues are different,” he said.

“We really haven’t had a strong voice and want to be able to go to national and State politicians and, with the executive steering committee, move the Kimberley forward.”

The group wants to take ownership of issues including bovine Johne’s disease where pastoralists say there was a lack of consultation over a zone management proposal and property diversification.

The aim is for the group to have a voice as strong as the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association.

Mr Camp said when the position was able to be funded, through the PGA and other sources, the group hoped to appoint someone to the role within the next few months.