VFF members’ push to dismiss board stumbles in court

A legal challenge aimed at forcing the Victorian Farmers Federation to conduct an extraordinary general meeting — a move which could lead to the sacking of the group’s board — stumbled in court on Friday.

Lawyers for former VFF grains group president Andrew Weidemann argued the peak farming body was legally obligated to conduct an EGM under the Corporations Act after more than 100 VFF members requested it through a petition.

Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach declined to order the VFF to hold the EGM, and has requested more information from both parties before a final hearing to be held next Friday, October 20.

“I am not going to grant you the form of injunction that you are seeking at this stage,” Justice Beach said.

The state farming lobby has been in turmoil since June, when VFF members, led by Mr Weidemann and former VFF grains group presidents Brett Hosking and Ash Fraser, launched a petition calling for the VFF board to be overturned.

Else Kennedy, The Weekly Times, 13 October 2023.

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