Uncertainty surrounding the introduction of a buyer fee at the Roma Saleyards is continuing with Roma combined agents association legal representative Dan Creevey, Creevey Russell Lawyers, voicing widespread discontent.
In response to comments from the Maranoa Regional Council in last week’s QCL, Mr Creevey said a buyer charge levied through livestock agents was a “knee jerk reaction” to financial miss-management.
“The Maranoa Regional Council is an incompetent financial handler of the Roma Saleyards,” he said.
“Council has essentially admitted that this was poorly thought through and poorly implemented. Being new should not be an excuse- they’ve got enough experienced councillors there who should know far better.”
Mr Creevey said the law firm wrote to the Maranoa Regional Council requesting consultation but received a negative response.
“It appears Council would rather bully agents into collecting Council’s new buyer fee with standover tactics than engage in meaningful discussion about the new charge and how it should be collected,” he said.
“In an agriculturally led region and despite talk about China and rising cattle prices they seem comfortable risking killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Our clients want to be heard.”
