The Horticulture and Agricultural Workforce Team has advised the horticulture industry that the Adviser who makes dispute resolution appointments under the Horticulture Code of Conduct has changed. The term of the previous Adviser ended on 30 November 2018.

The Horticulture Mediation Adviser forms part of the dispute resolution processes under the Horticulture Code of Conduct.

The role of the Adviser is to:

  • inform parties of dispute resolution procedures available under the Code; and
  • if the dispute goes to mediation, appoint a suitable mediator where the parties cannot agree on what mediator to use.

The new Adviser is:

Ms Rose Verspaandonk
Branch Manager
Deregulation and Small Business Branch
Department of Jobs and Small Business

The Department has noted that staff in the office of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) will support Ms Verspaandonk in this role.

The new details for mediation and dispute resolution services are:

Phone: 1300 650 460
Email: info@asbfeo.gov.au
Website: www.asbfeo.gov.au/industrycodes

If you have any questions about resolving disputes under the Horticulture Code of Conduct, please refer to the Department of Jobs and Small Business website.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 11 December 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!