The Pastoralists & Graziers Association of WA has entered voluntary administration after discovering ‘serious financial misconduct’ last week.
The agricultural advocacy organisation appointed RSM partners Jerome Mohen and Greg Dudley as joint administrators at a board meeting this afternoon.
In a statement today, Mr Mohen said the PGA executive and committee made the decision to appoint administrators after identifying financial irregularities and a funding shortfall.
“The PGA executive and committee remain committed to seeing the organisation work through the administration process and continuing its longstanding function as a respected representative of the agricultural community,” he said.
“Prior to our appointment, the organisation became aware of irregularities within its financial records leaving an immediate financial shortfall.
“At the same time, we will review the PGA’s operations with a view to completing an appropriate restructure of the organisation’s operations and financial position so that it can successfully exit the administration process.”
Mr Mohen said administrators recognised the PGA had a long history of advocating for the agricultural industry.
“Our own firm – RSM – has strong ties to the agricultural community and we understand the value and significance of the PGA to its members and the wider West Australian community,” he said.
“With this knowledge, we understand there will be considering interest from PGA members and the community seeking to understand the circumstances leading to the situation the organisation finds itself in today.”
Business News reported on January 24 the PGA WA had sent an email to members, informing them it would “take a pause” after uncovering “serious financial misconduct”.
“The PGA executive and committee members have recently become aware of serious financial misconduct within its organisation,” the email to members said.
“The PGA has taken immediate steps to address the issues. As an organisation of long standing and credible reputation in the WA regional and rural community the PGA is committed to focusing all its efforts in righting these issues.
“The PGA acknowledges there is a financial deficit in our current modelling and are working hard to scope and rectify it.
“In the short-term personnel within the PGA will be stepping aside.
“While the PGA works to develop an accurate assessment of its financial position it asks for your patience and that you deal with facts, and not innuendo or rumour.”
A few hours after the email was sent to members, PGA WA president Tony Seabrook told Business News the allegations did not involve anyone on the executive team or the board of the association.
“We believe information was intentionally withheld by a staff member,” he told Business News.
“A police investigation will be conducted; we can’t say more at this time.”
The PGA is one of the state's most vocal farming and pastoralist groups and has been front and centre of political debate affecting the regions in recent years.
It was a vocal opponent of the rollout of the state's Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act laws in 2023 - legislation which was later repealed.
On behalf of the PGA, the group's Mr Seabrook was the principal petitioner of an online petition backed by the WA Liberals and Nationals and tabled in parliament by Liberal Neil Thomson, which amassed almost 30,000 signatures.
The group has also been outspoken in its defence of live sheep export, following a federal ban announced last year which is shaping to be a major election issue in regional areas.
The group's work has been celebrated by sections of the business community.
In 2018, Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart recognised Mr Seabrook for his contribution to agriculture with an award at a gala event on Sydney Harbour.
The association's financials are less clear.
The most recent publicly available annual report is from 2022, with a link to the 2023 report on the PGA website not currently working.
The 2022 report does not provide any financial information.
