RED Hill station pastoralist and Pastoral Lands Board (PLB) chair Leanne Corker has stepped down from her position on the board due to growing frustrations over the Rangelands reform proposal.
Following the news, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) president Tony Seabrook acknowledged Ms Corker and her dedication and service to the Western Australian pastoral industry.
“Leanne Corker has been one of the staunchest advocates for the WA pastoral industry and it is most disappointing that she has made this decision to resign as the PLB chair due to her increasing frustration over the Government’s Rangelands Reform program,” Mr Seabrook said.
“This is the same level of frustration that is reverberating throughout the pastoral industry, as the Minister for Lands pushes forward with his Rangelands reform agenda that offers limited benefits to pastoralists, and fails to provide any opportunities to lease holders which does not already exist.
“Under Leanne’s tenure, the PLB has been a major force in ensuring the interests of the pastoralists have been protected from mindless bureaucratic interference.”
Mr Seabrook said under Ms Corkers watch the Board has made tremendous progress on drafting policies for the industry that interpret the Act with common sense, protecting both the lessee and the Rangelands.
“On behalf of the PGA and its members I would like to thank Leanne and her family for her service and dedication to the industry at what appears to be the onset of a volatile time in industry/government relations,” he said.
