The Australian Banana Growers' Council Inc. (ABGC) is the Australian banana industry's peak national agripolitical organisation and represents Australia's 1200 banana growers. It was established in February 1961 and on 31 August 1992 it took the initiative of creating a full-time National Secretariat based in Brisbane.

Mission Statement

The ABGC's Mission Statement is as follows:

"The Australian Banana Growers' Council Inc will represent the interests of Australian banana growers by:

• formulating and advocating industry policy;
• communicating information;
• promoting best practice in
  • marketing and
  • environmental management;
• fostering research and development; and
• engaging in all related activities which together will lead to the long term prosperity of the Australian banana growing industry."

Goals

The goals of the Council are:

• effective quarantine;
• an internationally competitive industry;
• professional effective marketing;
• environmental management;
• research and development; and
• excellent communications.

Membership

Under the ABGC's Rules, the legal owner or owners of a banana plantation in Australia with at least half a hectare of bananas under production (Commercial Banana Plantation Owner) may become a member of ABGC.  Members must continue to pay the membership fee determined by the Directors.  At present the fee is three cents per 13kg carton of bananas sold.  Each commercial banana plantation owner needs to complete an application for membership and send it to ABGC to be admitted as a member.

ABGC members directly elect Directors to the ABGC Board.

The ABGC's Board of Directors is made up of five Queensland Directors, two New South Wales Directors and one Director from either the Northern Territory or Western Australia.  The Board is responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the ABGC's affairs, property and funds. 

Funding

The ABGC is funded by a 3¢ per carton voluntary levy.