Administrators of the Pastoralist & Graziers Association of WA have requested police further investigate financial misconduct at the organisation.
Administrators of the Pastoralist & Graziers Association of WA have requested police further investigate financial misconduct at the organisation, a month after it entered administration.
In a statement today, RSM Australia partners Jerome Mohen and Greg Dudley revealed the creditors report had been lodged with the Department of Energy, Miners, Industry Regulation and Safety, outlining the outcomes of their review into the organisations operations.
It comes after the association – one of the state’s most vocal farming and pastoralist groups – sent a shock email to members on January 24 that it would “be taking a break” after discovering “serious financial misconduct”.
A week later, the association entered administration, with its president Tony Seabrook telling Business News the allegations did not involve anyone on the executive team or the board.
“We believe information was intentionally withheld by a staff member,” Mr Seabrook said.
Mr Mohen said in a statement today the PGA executive and committee had engaged proactively with administrators throughout the process.
“At this stage, we have received a Deed of Company Arrangement proposa – a binding agreement between the PGA and creditors, which would maximise the chances of the PGA continuing to trade,” Mr Mohen said.
“We have made the recommendation to creditors that the DOCA be accepted, as it will provide better outcomes for creditors, the PGA, and its members.”
The report also outlined the outcome of the administrators’ investigation into the organisation’s financial irregularities.
In the statement, administrators said the findings of that investigation had been provided to WA Police, and a request had been made for police to investigate whether there had been criminal activity involved.
The administrators will present their recommendation on the future of the PGA at a creditor’s meeting in Perth on Friday, March 7.
Prior to administration, the group had been 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opponent of the rollout of the state's Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act laws in 2023 - legislation which was later repealed.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, 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 against the heritage laws, 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.
