AFTER spending much of 2014 hammering the subject of rural debt in Canberra, northern cattlemen Rob Atkinson and Barry Hughes, together with Noeline Ikin, are now trying to gauge interest in a collective bargaining approach to maintaining viable grazing operations in the bush.
Mr Atkinson, a strong advocate for a north Queensland abattoir, has invested much personal time in finding ways to overcome the crippling debt facing many in the wake of the low commodity prices received when drought and the live export suspension forced many on to a weak market.
After the well-publicised debt mediation talks with the federal government last August, the trio was approached by Agricultural Asset Management managing director Garry Edwards, who offered a bulk brokerage approach to leveraging a better deal on interest rates.
“We’re holding this round of meetings to explain the concept and see how many people would like to go onto the next stage,” Mr Atkinson explained.
“They’re for any primary producer concerned about their cash flow and debt levels, succession and trying to maintain a viable business.”
Meetings will be held in Longreach on Thursday at the Jumbuck Motel at 3pm, in Hughenden at the Diggers Entertainment Centre at 2pm on Friday, and then in Georgetown on Sunday at 9am in the Etheridge Shire Hall supper room.
Longreach accountant Bill Ringrose will join the speaking panel at Thursday's meeting.