VTUPB5500 - Trade unions and professional bodies: Item 1(c) branch of knowledge / professional expertise: Past or present professions or employment of members

A further criterion for exemption under 鈥淚tem 1(c)鈥 is that the branch of knowledge being advanced or the expertise being fostered must be 鈥渃onnected with the past or present professions or employments of its members鈥. Therefore, an association with the 鈥減rimary purpose鈥 of advancing a branch of knowledge amongst the public generally would not qualify for exemption if its membership lacked this 鈥渆mployment connection鈥. This was made apparent in the 鈥淥rganic Farmers case鈥, where the tribunal stated that the body would only:

鈥溾 fall into this class of association鈥 (鈥淚tem 1(c)鈥 of 鈥淕roup 9鈥) 鈥渋f鈥

鈥(a) its primary purpose is the advancement of a particular branch of knowledge and

(b) that branch of knowledge is connected with the past or present employments of its members.鈥

We would not withhold exemption if a small proportion of the membership lacked the 鈥渆mployment connection鈥.