How are motions submitted for inclusion in the Annual Conference Agenda?
• Business for Annual Conference may be submitted by any Branch, Advisory Committee, Executive Council, or Board.
• All business must be submitted by completing the Online Motion Submission Form by 5pm on Friday 3 May 2024.
• If you have problems submitting online, please contact the Member Service Centre on 1300 794 000.
• Late Motions will not be accepted.
Procedure for Submission of Motions for the Annual Conference Agenda
Agenda Preparation Timeline
• Friday 3 May 2024 – Deadline for submission of motions which must be submitted electronically
• Monday 6 May 2024 to Friday 17 May 2024 – Committee/Policy Review
Please note: The submitter of the motion may be contacted by a professional staff member or an elected member to discuss the motion.
• Agenda Committee will review all submitted motions.
Procedure for Submission of Motions for the Annual Conference Agenda
Branches must be aware of the following points when submitting motions for possible inclusion in the Annual Conference agenda:
(1) Motions should deal with general principles to enable advocacy.
For example, a resolution seeking “that NSW Farmers pursue $12.60 compensation for every lamb killed by dingoes coming out of a national park” may be too specific, while a general resolution seeking “that full compensation for stock losses arising as a result of attacks by dingoes coming out of national parks” is more realistic and deals with a principle that, if adopted, NSW Farmers would be able to pursue and advocate on behalf of members.
(2) Motions must not be covered by existing policy.
For example, NSW Farmers has standing policy opposing any further mergers between major Australian Trading Banks. A motion proposing to simply re-state that policy would be less likely to get onto the agenda than a resolution adding additional aspects to that policy.
(3) Motions can propose amendments to existing policies.
(4) Motions need to be relevant to agriculture and be realistic.
For example, a motion seeking “that all landowners be exempt from Commonwealth income tax” is neither specific to agriculture nor will it realistically be achieved.
(5) To the greatest degree possible, motions should deal with state-wide or national issues affecting agriculture, rather than local issues.
For example, a motion seeking “that the Gosford Council be required to control blackberries in the Terrigal nature reserve” deals with local issues that can be addressed in the first instance by the relevant NSW Farmers Branch.
(6) Motions need to be able to stand alone as a statement and be understandable to other members and the general public.
For example, a motion seeking “that we oppose any use of the Gelatin-gel test” doesn’t make much sense to most people, whereas a motion seeking 'that NSW Farmers oppose the use of the Gelatin-Gel test for diagnosing footrot in sheep’ is more readily understood.
(7) Motions should identify the desired outcome to be achieved and not dictate actions for NSW Farmers.
For example, a statement “that NSW Farmers write a letter to the Premier on the need for road funding” is an action. A motion may identify that “NSW Farmers support equitable and sustainable funding for regional, rural and remote roads”.
When drafting motions for inclusion in the Annual Conference agenda the following rules apply:
1. Motions should be constructed as a statement of industry policy. These statements will normally commence “That NSW Farmers support...”, for example: “That NSW Farmers support the threshold for foreign investment review board consideration of the purchase of agricultural land be set at $5 million cumulative”;
2. Motions should only address a single subject;
3. Motions should not contain argument, yet be as self-explanatory as possible;
4. Motions must include background information (if no background information is supplied, the motion will not be considered); and
5. Motions must be submitted using the Online Motion Submission Form.
The NSW Farmers policy team can assist with the development of motions. Please talk to your Regional Service Manager if you require such assistance.
Motion Progress Report
A 2023 Motion Progress Report will be circulated with members before Annual Conference. The report will outline actions against progress on motions passed in 2023. We urge branches to consider this report in the development of their motions.
Policy Statement Book