The Roundtable: Are co-ops the answer for regional communities?

28 September 2020

Historically there have been spikes in interest in cooperatives during crises, when communities fall back on community-spirited activity and common purpose to try to resolve the issues.

The Business Council of Co-operatives says there has been a spike in community buyouts of all manner of community services – shops, hotels, agriculture, renewable energy – and a surge in interest in areas where business models have broken down.

Could co-operatives be used more widely to help local and regional economies?

Guests:

• Melina Morrison – CEO, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals
• June Tarlinton – Chair, Cobargo Community Co-operative in southern NSW
• Scott Thompson – Chair, Broomehill Village Co-operative in southern WA
• Greg Patmore – Emeritus Professor of Business and Labour History at the University of Sydney Business School.

Listen to the episode

Radio National’s Sunday Extra
27 September 2020