Ron Cullen ticks the box for Chair of the Independent Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel
MEDIA RELEASE
2 July, 2019
Ron Cullen ticks the box for Chair of the Independent Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel
WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) has welcomed the announcement by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) of Mr Ron Cullen being appointed as the independent chair of the new Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel (WICP).
WoolProducers nominated Mr Cullen for this position due to his proven agribusiness and governance knowledge and experience.
WoolProducers President, Mr Ed Storey said, “We are extremely pleased that our nominee, Mr Cullen was unanimously endorsed by other members of WICP”.
“In putting forward a nominee for this role, WoolProducers were keen to find someone that could be considered independent but knew the workings of the industry and also had strong chairing and governance skills, Mr Cullen certainly ticks all of those boxes”, Mr Storey said.
The establishment of the WICP and the broader Woolgrower Consultation Group (WCP) replaces the former Industry Consultative Committee (ICC).
One of the 82 recommendations made in the 2018 Review of Performance of AWI was to redefine the consultation arrangements to enable independent advice to be provided on investments made by AWI and to recommend opportunities for the AWI Board to consider.
“WoolProducers has long been critical of the ICC process as it was essentially meaningless, so we have much higher expectations for the new industry consultation mechanisms within AWI”.
“WoolProducers believes the appointment of Mr Cullen as chair is certainly a step in the right direction”. Mr Storey said.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Ed Storey
President
0438 309 500
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
0488 554 811
WoolProducers Australia announces its next generation of Raising the Baa participants
MEDIA RELEASE
29 May, 2019
WoolProducers Australia announces its next generation of Raising the Baa participants
WoolProducers Australia has selected seven people from the wool industry to undertake our 2019 ‘Raising the Baa – Leadership in Agriculture’ program.
The Raising the Baa Program has two streams, with applicants able to apply to undertake a fully-funded Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, or to be considered for WoolProducers’ Youth Ambassador position.
WoolProducers Australia President, Mr Ed Storey said, “The Company Directors Course is a fantastic opportunity for future leaders from all sectors of the wool industry to develop and refine their leadership skills for positions on industry Boards. The skills are very important to ensure good governance and leadership is understood before people contribute to a Board.”
“The Youth Ambassador position exposes people aged 18 -35 years to policy within WoolProducers and gives them the opportunity to learn and understand the policy cycle and how a board works so they understand how many decisions that affect the wool industry are handled by WoolProducers.”
The successful participants come from diverse backgrounds and WoolProducers looks forward to continuing to help develop future leaders in the Australian wool industry.
This year, the successful applicants for the Company Directors Course that will take place in Sydney in mid-June, are:
- Stephen Lee – South Australia
- Timothy Flynn – New South Wales
- Dione Howard – New South Wales
- Samantha Neumann – South Australia
- Karen Smith – Western Australia
WoolProducers CEO, Ms Jo Hall said “The calibre of applicants for both the Company Directors Course and the Youth Ambassador positions was of an exceptionally high standard, and as such we have made the decision to this year appoint two Youth Ambassadors.”
The successful Youth Ambassadors, who will work on developing policy briefs and implementation strategies for two key industry issues, are:
- Samantha Wan – Victoria
- Shelby Garnett – Victoria
“We are excited to offer these positions and look forward to working with them as the develop their industry knowledge and professional skills. I look forward to following their progression in industry in the future using what they learn in the Company Directors Course and as our Youth Ambassadors.” Ms Hall said.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Ed Storey
President
0438 309 500
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
0488 554 811
WoolProducers Australia welcomes the new Coalition Cabinet
MEDIA RELEASE
29 May, 2019
WoolProducers Australia welcomes the new Coalition Cabinet
The peak grower representative body for the Australian wool industry, WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) welcomes the newly sworn in Liberal-National Coalition Government.
The new Coalition Cabinet features impressive representatives for rural Australia in key portfolios and WoolProducers congratulates Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for retaining the Regional Development and Transport Ministry.
WoolProducers President, Ed Storey said, ‘The Deputy Prime Minister has been a strong advocate for those in the bush and we know that he will continue to place issues affecting regional Australians front and centre in the Morrison government.”
“WoolProducers also welcomes the retention of the trade portfolio by Simon Birmingham, Mark Coulton to Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government and Sussan Ley for her appointment to the Environment portfolio.” Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers in particular looks forward to working with Senator Bridget McKenzie in her new role of Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Storey said, “Senator McKenzie has demonstrated a sound understanding of rural and regional issues through her previous Ministerial roles and we look forward to her applying the same knowledge, passion and dedication to the agricultural portfolio.”
WoolProducers would also like to thank David Littleproud for his work as Agriculture Minister.
“Minister Littleproud achieved many things during his tenure in agriculture, including calling the independent review of performance into Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), which delivered 82 recommendations to improve the transparency and operations of the wool RDC.”
“Minister Littleproud also introduced sweeping reforms into the sheep live export trade which was desperately needed to secure the trade. WoolProducers wishes him well in his new portfolio of Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management.” Mr Storey said.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Jo Hall
CEO
0488 554 811
About WoolProducers’ Australia
WPA plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.
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Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.
The agency is responsible for appointing a director to each of the Australian Wool Exchange and the Australia Wool Testing Authority, promoting good corporate governance and ensuring that the interests of growers are met.
WPA maintains a working relationship with Australian Wool Innovation as the voice of woolgrower shareholders. It aims to contribute to AWI’s programs for the benefit of growers, promoting responsible use of levy funds and ensuring good corporate governance. WPA is the sole wool industry member of Animal Health Australia, and as such, carries a significant responsibility for decision making on behalf of the industry in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.
As the only wool grower organisation with membership of the National Farmers’ Federation, WoolProducers is responsible for providing key policy advice on behalf of our members, and other wool growers, to Australia’s peak farm body.
WoolProducers also works closely with the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources on key issues such as animal health and welfare, biosecurity, pest management control, natural resource management, drought preparedness, emergency animal disease outbreak preparedness and industry development, including research and trade.
Applications for WoolProducers' Raising the Baa now open!
MEDIA RELEASE
16 April, 2019
Applications for WoolProducers' Raising the Baa now open!
WoolProducers Australia is pleased to announce that applications for its ‘Raising the Baa’ Leadership in Agriculture Program are now being accepted.
WoolProducers recognises the importance of developing wool industry leaders who are trained in governance and technical areas of industry strategy and policy.
WoolProducers Australia President, Mr Ed Storey said, “The Raising the Baa Program provides an innovative and supportive environment for wool industry leaders to develop and refine their leadership skills so they can contribute to ongoing capacity and capability building within the wool industry.”
Raising the Baa consists of two components, with applicants selecting the one they would like to apply for. The components are the Australian Institute of Company Directors – Company Directors Course, and the WoolProducers Australia Youth Ambassador position.
Current WoolProducers Australia Youth Ambassador, Ms Dione Howard said “The Youth Ambassador position has fostered my interest in wool industry governance and policy development, and has helped me gain a much deeper knowledge of the decision-making process behind policies and regulations that affect my day to day role as a district veterinarian in New South Wales”.
“I am hoping to combine the knowledge I have gained during my time as Youth Ambassador with my veterinary skill set in animal health and welfare, so I can play an even bigger part in Australia’s wool industry”.
“Through working on policy projects, I have developed a skill set of identifying industry issues, stepping through the process of how they can be addressed, and the importance of input from stakeholders along each step of the policy process”.
“I have gained a great deal from my experience over the past year and highly recommend Raising the Baa to anyone who is interested in Australia’s wool industry” Ms Howard said.
To apply for Raising the Baa, head to the WoolProducers Australia website (www.woolproducers.com.au) and click on the link for information on how to apply. Applications close 23 April 2019.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Edward Storey
President
0438 309 500
Ashley Cooper
Policy Manager
0455 442 776
WPA Policy Manager selected as International Young Wool Professional
MEDIA RELEASE
9 April, 2019
WPA Policy Manager Selected as International Young Wool Professional
WoolProducers Australia is pleased to announce that our Policy Manager, Ashley Cooper, is attending the 88th International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) Congress in Venice this week, having been selected as an Australian Young Professional Delegate.
Mr Cooper was selected as one of 25 young professionals chosen from around the world to attend the Congress as part of the IWTO’s Young Professionals Programme.
“I was very excited when I got the news that I had been selected to attend,” said Mr. Cooper.
“To be selected from applicants from around the world, each with a different involvement in the wool industry and different skillset is a privilege, and I look forward to meeting new people and attending meetings where I will get to see how the work WoolProducers carries out for Australian woolgrowers influences industry at an international level”.
The Programme matches each young professional with a senior wool trade mentor for the duration of the Congress, who is responsible for guiding their young professional through the conference and offering opportunities for networking.
“The Congress began this morning and already I have had the opportunity to meet a range of industry members from all over the world. Some of these conversations have led to invitations to meet with various organisations and learn more about topics such as trade, biosecurity and processing. All of which is important when working on policies for Australian woolgrowers” Mr Cooper said.
Mr Cooper will be attending the Congress with WoolProducers Australia President, Ed Storey and CEO, Jo Hall.
“The Congress provides WoolProducers opportunities to meet with our international partners and to advance our advocacy, health, welfare, biosecurity, trade and market access work,” said Mr Storey.
“WoolProducers provides the Australian country update at the Congress and attends meetings focussed on our priority work areas. It will be a great experience for our Policy Manager, Mr Cooper to attend these meetings and continue to develop professionally in his role at WoolProducers”.
Mr Cooper will presentation a report on his experience in the IWTO Young Professionals Programme at the Congress when he returns to Australia next week.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Edward Storey
President
0438 309 500
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
0488 554 811
WoolProducers Australia welcomes budget measures
MEDIA RELEASE
2 April, 2019
WoolProducers Australia welcomes budget measures
WoolProducers Australia welcomes the first budget surplus in 12 years, as announced by the Morrison government in Tuesday night’s budget, which also included a number of items aimed at the agricultural sector.
WoolProducers Australia President, Mr Ed Storey said ‘The federal government has announced a number of measures to assist primary producers and their businesses’.
WoolProducers was pleased to see the extension and expansion of the instant asset write off for small businesses, which was a key priority in the WoolProducers Pre-Budget submission. ‘The accelerated depreciation measures enable small businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million to immediately deduct asset purchases under $30,000’.
‘This measure encourages these businesses to immediately invest in capital expenditure such as fencing, tanks, and feed silos.’ Mr Storey said.
Additional to the support already on offer to those farmers facing drought and flood, Treasurer Josh Frydenburg’s announcement the establishment of a $3.9 billion Emergency Response Fund. ‘The aim of this new fund will be to ensure additional resourcing is available when natural disasters strike our farmers and the regional economies in which they operate’. Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers were also pleased to see the confirmation of the earlier commitment of $220 million to regional telecommunications, through funding for Regional Connectivity and extension of the Mobile Black Spot Programs.
‘Many woolgrowers live and work in parts of Australia that suffer poor connectivity and provision of telecommunications services.’
‘Improvements to regional telecommunications was another key theme of WoolProducers Pre-Budget submission, as reliable and affordable telecommunications is important for farming families in order to access the digital economy for their business, education, health and social needs.’ Mr Storey said.
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Ed Storey
President
0438 309 500
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
0488 554 811
WoolProducers Australia Raising the Baa in Industry Capacity Building
MEDIA RELEASE
1 April, 2019
WoolProducers Australia Raising the Baa in Industry Capacity Building
WoolProducers Australia is excited to announce that the second round of nominations for their ‘Raising the Baa’ Leadership in Agriculture Program are now open.
WoolProducers identified a gap in industry representative capacity building within the Australian wool industry. In order to address this gap, WPA pursued and were successful in obtaining a grant under the Commonwealth Government’s Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.
WoolProducers President, Ed Storey said, ‘while there are a number of leadership programs that exist in the wool industry, there was no program that focused on enhancing the governance capacity of the industry’.
There are two separate components of the Program that WoolProducers are currently taking nominations for - Australian Institute of Company Director (AICD) – Company Directors Course and the WoolProducers Australia Youth Ambassador.
‘We had a wonderful response last year when we called for nominations and the five people that were selected to undertake the AICD, Peter McCrabbe, Stacey Lugsdin, Dan Korff, Matt Bartlett and Robert Pocock, were a diverse group of people who all have varying roles within the wool industry’. Mr Storey said.
‘Dr Dione Howard has participated in the WoolProducers Quarterly Board Meetings as the Youth Ambassador and has undertaken two research projects; ‘Youth in the Wool Industry’ and ‘Animal Health Communications’, with updates presented at each meeting, which have been very well received by the WoolProducers Board.’ Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers are again seeking nominations from interested parties who have a passion for the wool industry and are active in any sector of industry throughout the supply chain.
The AICD Company Directors Course is a globally recognised qualification which provides participants with a thorough understanding of corporate governance.
While the WoolProducers Youth Ambassador provides a young person, aged between 18-35 years of age, with the opportunity to join the WoolProducers Board as an observer for a 12-month period.
Mr Storey said, ‘this concept is aimed at providing exposure and experience to young people who have an interest in industry policy development and agri-politics in general’.
‘The Raising the Baa Program enables future leaders of the wool industry to gain knowledge in compliance, risk, strategy, finance and the role of the board.’ Mr Storey said.
Course costs, accommodation and travel expenses will be covered. Nominees will be required to apply for these positions and all appointments will be merit based. Nominations close on 26 April, 2019. For further information email info@woolproducers.com.au
ENDS
WoolProducers Australia contact:
Ed Storey
President
0438 309 500
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
0488 554 811