Reform of Equestrian Australia - EQ Member Release - 18 August 2020

Dear Equestrian Queensland member

We understand that the majority of members in our sport just want to enjoy their horses, have fun and not get involved in internal politics and arguments.

However, the much-needed reform of our sport is going to be a long journey and that is why we would very much appreciate you taking the time to read this update and pass it on to your colleagues to enable them to make informed decisions about the future of Equestrian Australia (EA).

A welcome start

On Sunday 16 August 2020, you should have received an email with a circular from the EA Deed Administrators (KordaMentha) advising that agreement had been reached with the State Branches about amendments to the EA Constitution.

This is positive news and the early steps of a process of delivering real and lasting reform of EA by:

• Providing each individual member with a vote and a voice through ‘one member, one vote’.
• Appointing a new, independent transitional board for EA.
• Creating a revised nominations process for both the transitional EA Board and ongoing EA Board.
• Allowing members to attend virtual general meetings and vote electronically.

Representing members’ views

You may have noticed that KordaMentha’s circular referred to the State Branches (excluding Equestrian Queensland). This is because EQ has remained fully supportive of the reform of EA as proposed under the KordaMentha Deed of Company Agreement (DoCA). On 14 July 2020, members overwhelmingly voted in support of the KordaMentha DoCA.  This included a majority in every State and Territory, excluding Tasmania (see image below).

Throughout this process EQ has continued to act in accordance with the wishes of our members - 99 per cent of whom voted in favor of the proposed reforms in the KordaMentha DoCA.

EA members should decide the future 

While EQ welcomes the first steps of reform, we remain concerned that the revised EA Constitution published by KordaMentha on Sunday falls short of what we believe members voted for on 14 July 2020.  We believe members voted for constitutional change that provides members with a democratic vote on the future of EA. 

The below table highlights the difference between the initial amendment published on 30 July 2020 and the new amendment published on Sunday by KordaMentha regarding alterations to the EA Constitution.

The new amendment provides the State Branches with the ability to veto any constitutional changes approved by the members.  The clause will require any constitutional changes, approved by members to also be approved by five of the six voting State Branches to take effect.

EQ is supportive of EA members holding a democratic vote with equal weight to that of other stakeholders as it relates to any future constitutional changes or amendments.

ENT should be treated equally

Whilst the proposed amendments to the EA Constitution recognise ENT as a member of EA it specifically excludes ENT as a voting member with the same rights as the other State Branches.

EQ is supportive of all Branches having the same rights.

Next Steps

EQ supports the role of the State Branches in the future of EA. We agree the sport needs to look at its structure and things need to change. The role of the State Branches may look different in the future, but that process will be overseen by the new independent EA Board with extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including members and the State Branches.  

Successful reform can only occur if all seven Branches work together with the national discipline committees, members and stakeholders in the collective interest of our sport to deliver the required changes to the EA Constitution as per the mandate provided by members at the Second Creditors meeting on 14 July 2020.

Finally, EQ is committed to working with the new transitional board for EA, the State and Territory Branches, the national discipline committees and members to deliver real and lasting reform of EA in the interest of all members.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message. Please don’t hesitate to contact the team at EQ if you have any questions on 07 3891 6611 or email [email protected]

Equestrian Queensland

David Finch, Chair

Corey Keable, Vice Chair

Sue Austin, Treasurer

Nick Ballard, Director

Jacqui Huppert, Director

Naomi Lane, Director

Jane Harms, Director