No vote needed for AWI reforms

NSW Farmers’ Association backs moves by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to not take any of EY’s 82 performance or governance recommendations to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

AWI has announced that a negotiated outcome with industry will see the intent of all the 82 EY recommendations implemented, excluding one relating to board tenure. 

Andrew Wood, Chair of the NSW Farmers Wool Committee, said he welcomed AWI engaging in meaningful consultation with Wool Producers Australia (WPA), the peak grower representative body for the wool industry.  

“It’s a great outcome for industry that the WPA and AWI negotiations secured a result. Wool-growers are the big winner with this announcement,” Mr Wood said. 

“Today, a line was drawn in the sand. AWI has now accepted the recommendations. The wool industry can now move past the review and get on with what we do best, growing the world’s best wool”.

“Hopefully it indicates that in the future AWI intends to interact with industry in good faith” Mr Woods said.

Since the EY review was released in July 2018, NSW Farmers have continued to actively advocate for AWI to accept and implement all 82 of EY’s recommendations.

“NSW Farmers, Minister Littleproud and farmers alike have backed all of the EY recommendations from the start. We have all worked extremely hard to ensure the EY Review achieves its purpose, increasing transparency and accountability within the wool industry.”

Mr Woods highlighted that avoiding an EGM AWI has saved a significant expense. 

“Significant time and resources have been taken up in responding to the review. Now those resources can be redirected more productively.”

Mr Woods said that despite the progress made so far, NSW Farmers will continue to push for AWI to accept the last outstanding recommendation which would cap board tenure at 10 years.

“I hope that AWI see the benefit in limiting board tenure, it will benefit all of industry by promoting continuity of new ideas and thinking”. 

Date: Tuesday 19 March 2019
Media Contact:   Michael Burt  | 0428 228 988