Levy Consultation

Member Login

Feedback

Home
Levy reforms a strong starting point for producers: Review Committee member

Levy reforms a strong starting point for producers: Review Committee member.

Central Queensland grazier Rob Atkinson, a well-known face in the Queensland beef industry, says the Grassfed Cattle Transaction Levy Review has set a roadmap for a levy system that works harder for producers and gives them a greater say in how their levy is invested.

“The past six months have been hard going but rewarding. The Review Committee has looked back over the last 17 years of levy investments and found that, while these investments have delivered value, producers have found it difficult to engage with the system and many now feel it has become disconnected from their businesses.

“The core message we received from levy payers throughout the review was that the system needs to do better, it needs to work harder, and it needs to provide producers with greater opportunities to participate in decisions about how their levy funds are invested.

“The industry is also in a very different position today than it was 17 years ago. Just as producers’ businesses have changed, the levy needs to evolve to better support them.

“The structure needs updating, and that is a significant part of the recommendations we have made.”

Under the recommendations, levy-funded programs must show the value they return, and producers would have a greater say in how their levy is invested. This must be delivered by 1 July 2027.

Only after structural and reporting changes are made including reforms to improve transparency, accountability and producer engagement have been introduced in full, the levy would rise from $5 to $6 per transaction.

The extra $1 would be directed to the areas producers backed: sustainable funding for the National Residue Survey, stronger biosecurity and integrity systems, and better resourced industry representation and ability to defend the industry’s credentials from those that seek to use disinformation to falsely tarnish our reputation and credentials.

Mr Atkinson said the review had established a roadmap for further improvements, and he was committed to seeing producers become more actively involved in determining how their levy funds are invested.

“I think this is a strong starting point. Every grassfed cattle levy payer has an opportunity to vote,” he said.

“If you want to see a more accountable system, one that actively engages with producers and seeks their input, then voting to support the recommendations in November will be an important step towards achieving that.”

Mr Atkinson was appointed to the Grassfed Cattle Transaction Levy Review Committee by the Cattle Australia Board in March this year.

Grassfed levy payers will decide the resolution at the MLA AGM on 24 November 2026. You do not need to be an MLA member to vote. Ballots have been sent by email or post and close 3.30pm (Qld time), Sunday 22 November. MLA members can also vote live at the AGM. If you haven’t received a ballot, contact MLA on 1800 023 100 or membership@mla.com.au.

More information on the Grassfed Cattle Transaction Levy Review and the Final Report and Recommendations: The Cattle Transaction Levy Hub – Cattle Australia

Search.

Close
Close

Member Login

Feedback

Search

Will Evans

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Will Evans brings extensive leadership, advocacy and policy experience to the role of Cattle Australia CEO. 

Prior to joining CA in July 2025, he held the role of CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association.

Prior to leading the NTCA, Will held industry positions in the areas of policy development with the former Cattle Council of Australia and for the Northern Territory Live Exporters Association.

Garry Edwards

Managing Director and CEO, Maureen Pastoral Company

Garry is the Chair of Cattle Australia, representing 52,000 beef producers and a $20+bn industry, an industry that is Australia’s largest land manager.

He was born and raised on a commercial beef cattle property near Stroud, south of Gloucester in New South Wales.

Garry has personal cattle production interests in this region today as well as his corporate role as the Managing Director and CEO of AAM, a business that has a significant focus in continuing to expand beyond our cattle production interests in Central West NSW, near Forbes and Bective Station near Tamworth, NSW.

With over 30 years’ experience in large scale livestock production management within the Australian agribusiness sector. His experience spans across a vast array of areas of the agricultural supply chain and includes managing businesses involved in livestock breeding, growing and finishing, financing of agricultural projects, implementation of precision agriculture practices, investigation and implementation of sustainability and innovation initiatives and developing and operating integrated agricultural businesses.

In 2007, Garry founded the company that today is AAM, commencing the development, operation and management of a portfolio of agricultural assets valued at ~$1 billion and he and his wife remain the major shareholders of AAM.

Garry has a unique skill set across multiple facets of the livestock supply chain, from production through to finishing, and processing as well as a unique perspective of the challenges facing all livestock producers within Australia.

George King

Managing Director, The Whitney Pastoral Co and Manager, "Coombing Park"
George is a seventh generation Australian farmer, currently managing his family property which they have held since 1880. George operates an Angus breeding and finishing operation joining 1,500 cows per year, with a low-cost model turning off steers at feeder weights and direct sales of females.

George has long been on a regenerative agriculture path as it was the only way he could see to renovate their property 25 years ago without employed equity or working capital, which at the time they didn’t have. He continues with this model as it provides outstanding cost containments, continued production and profitability.

George is married with four (4) children, Harry 24, Emma 22, Dave 15 and Tom 13. He also enjoys flying and has his pilot’s license.

George is also a Founding Director of The Wellness House and a Founding Director of ONFARM CO. He has a strong voluntary involvement with his community including as the NSW Rural Fire Services Senior Dept Capt. and Chairman of St Paul’s Carcoar.

Bryce Camm

Grazier, camm agricultual group

Bryce Camm hails from Dalby in Queensland’s Darling Downs region where he oversees his family’s company Camm Agricultural Group; an integrated beef and cropping enterprise with interests across Queensland.

Bryce has been CEO of the group for the past eight years. Prior to that he was the Manager of the group’s award winning Wonga Plains Feedlot for eight years where he oversaw the operation triple in size. Growing up on “Natal Downs” Station in north Queensland Bryce undertook a dual degree in Business Administration and Communications at Bond University and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program as well as the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

Bryce is currently the Chairman of Beef Australia Ltd and the Immediate Past President of the Australian Lot Feeders Council, as well as a previous Director of the Red Meat Advisory Council. 

Elke Cleverdon

FAICD, FCPA, MBA

Elke Cleverdon is an experienced non-executive director and long-term cattle producer from Harden in regional NSW. 

As Joint Owner & Director of Cleverdon Agriculture since 1993, she has managed a self-replacing Black Angus herd, raising and trading cattle with her family. Her deep connection to the land ensures she brings a genuine producer perspective to national industry leadership.

Elke has chaired Cattle Australia’s Audit & Risk Committee for the past three years, strengthening governance, financial accountability, and member confidence during a critical stage of the organisation’s development. She is passionate about ensuring producers have a strong, credible voice and that their interests are advanced in a fair, profitable, and sustainable supply chain.

Her professional background includes more than 16 years in executive leadership in customer-owned banking and eight years as a rural financial coach, supporting farming businesses across NSW. She has also been recognised nationally through the National Farmers’ Federation Diversity in Ag Leadership program.

Elke currently serves as a non-executive director with Horticulture Innovation Australia, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (NSW Health), and SWS Bank. She is a Fellow CPA, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Master of Business Administration.

Elke brings critical thinking, strong financial and risk management skills, and a passion for strategy and sustainability. She is committed to advancing the long-term interests of Australia’s cattle producers by ensuring Cattle Australia remains a trusted, effective, and transparent advocate for the industry.

David Foote

Director - Tandarra Partners

Nominated by: Peter Hall, Troy Setter, Bryce Camm, David Hill, Adam Coffey 

For the past 45 years, David has held rural property management, executive and senior management positions across all mainland states in areas of; beef cattle & sheep breeding, growing and lot feeding, meat retailing, small seed growing, irrigated fodder, and the further processing and exporting of primary products such as meat, grain and fodder.

His export experiences which started in 1989 included a role with Stanbroke Pastoral Company to help develop Stanbroke’ s Live cattle export program. Additionally, David managed the integration of Bottle Tree feedlot grain feeding in the production system while developing and launching their now globally recognised Diamantina beef brand.

David has been in a leadership role at the Lee Family’s, Australian Country Choice group of Companies since 1999 and progressed in that time from General Manager Properties & Livestock to Group Managing Director until stepping back in December 2020 from a full time role to a strategic advisory and board role.

Headquartered in Brisbane and employing over 1,400 staff across 42 operations, Australian Country Choice (ACC) operates Australia’s largest vertically integrated beef supply chain; encompassing cattle breeding, cattle growing and feedlotting to supply its integrated food processing facility in Brisbane that incorporates beef slaughter, beef boning, value-adding and case ready beef packing.

ACC’s cattle property portfolio of around 4 million acres in Queensland & NSW encompasses operations from the Barkly Tableland, CQ coalfields, Carnarvon ranges, Augathella, Blackall, Roma, and Moonie districts of Queensland, with a carrying capacity of 300,000 head. of cattle to support the Company’s 3 feedlots.

Additionally, David represents Agricultural & Cattle industry interests in his role as; Non-Government member Australia­ Indonesia Red Meat & Cattle Partnership, member SmartSat CRC, member Cattle Australia -Policy Council, member Australian Meat Industry Council -China & Halal Trade Groups, Chair Workplace Health & Safety Queensland -Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee, Deputy Chair Laguna Bay Pastoral investment committee and Board Member lnventia Genetic Technologies (IGT). 

Away from work David has a small cattle property in the Mt Kilcoy (Qld) district running Charolais & Charbray breeders to the delight of his four grandchildren.

David wishes to continue into a second term to help build a strong and successful Cattle Australia to represent the interest of all cattle producers