In "The AWB scandal is a lesson on the pitfalls of privatisation" (The Age, 07 December 2006, p 19) Davidson argues that privatisation undermined the AWB - by shifting power from parliament to the market.

He argues this shift meant that the priority was now profit instead of public service.

Davidson's column, however, ignores the reality that the AWB was a hybrid pre and post privatisation.

Davidson does not mention the co-operative option - as an alternative to public or investor ownerwship. But, then, I can't recall when he recognised the co-operative option as an option.

The Age
http://www.theage.com.au

For the co-operative option and the AWB.

The Democracy Principle: Farmer Co-operatives in Twentieth Century Australia, Gary Lewis, 2006, Paperback, 440 pages,
ISBN 0 -646-46587-2

A profile of Gary Lewis

The order form
http://www.australia.coop/garrylewisorderform.doc

Purchasing queries: cfv@australia.coop