Matters discussed:

1. Co-operative Legislation  -  In terms of achieving nationally consistent legislation  “inaction reigns supreme”  D.O. to contact Minister and Commissioner suggesting CCA would like to participate in a teleconference with the Ministerial Working Party.

2. Retail Co-ops Workshop – due to unavailability of key personnel, event deferred until early 2009.

3. Co-operative Education – GC reported on Chris Cooper’s upcoming visit to Australia. Also reported on CFV’s development of an online training module for co-operative education. Referred those interested to the Land O’Lakes website where they could view their online training module.

4. Wheat Bill -  PW reported that he is waiting to see the re-write of legislation that will include mention of co-operatives.

5. Letter to politicians promoting co-operatives.  PW will consider this.

6. ICA membership. – general discussion, no strong feeling from anyone that we should seriously consider joining the ICA. To be dealt with again at next CCA meeting.

7. Electronic billboard of sale/buy co-operative shares – led by JH. Some doubt about legality of such a move because of Taxation Act implications. No decision made.

8. Stock Exchange –CCU’s. General discussion. It was felt that an article about CCU’s to go onto the australia.coop website could be useful.

9. Secretariat  -  agreed that CFV would assume responsibility for CCA for a period of two years, after CFSA relinquish the role. DO indicated he will remain with CFSA until end of 2008.

10. State Federations Update  -  WA reported that their new co-operative legislation is close. That their annual conference will be held on October 16, and that Chris Cooper will be working with several WA co-ops in the first week of August. United Farmers Co-op has merged with NZ co-op Ravensdown Fertilisers.  SA annual conference on October 17 in Adelaide. VIC reported on CAV customer survey and changes to the Victorian Co-operatives Act.  NSW annual conference in November, keynote speaker CEO Co-ops Europe. Department of Fair Trading has posted a “State of the Co-op Sector” report on their website. A recent workshop bringing together boards and senior management in a particular region was quite successful.  Q reported that Mackay Sugar Co-op appears set to demutualise.

11. Other business – CE suggested a face-to-face CCA meeting was overdue. Possibility of doing this to coincide with CFNSW conference in November this year.  CFSA will organise next teleconference for August.

Report prepared by Graeme Charles

May 2008.