LEADERSHIP changes being made at Australian Wool Innovation were a “positive move in the right direction”, according to leading stud sheep breeder Andrew Michael, Leahcim, Snowtown.
“Colette (Garnsey) will be very good, with her industry background. She will also bring an independent view to the chairmanship,” he said.
But Mr Michael thought further board structure changes were needed.
“I fully endorse the term recommendation in the recent AWI review (by Ernst & Young), where board members shouldn’t hold a tenure any longer than 10 years. I think six years is sufficient; two three-year terms,” he said.
“There needs to be a continual roll-over of boards to keep views fresh and allow for new thinking.”
Mr Michael believes all 82 recommendations of the review should be adopted.
“What’s the point of having a review if the recommendations aren’t taken seriously? It shouldn’t be a negotiable,” he said.
"The 82 points should be adopted so we can move forward and there is transparency in AWI.”
Mr Michael also believes Ms Garnsey should be encouraging better adoption of technology in the sheep industry.
“Farmers need to be aware of all of the tools and information available, to help them be better prepared to manage drought and reduce the hurt they are going through at the moment,” he said.
“AWI and Meat & Livestock Australia should both be playing a big part in doing that.”
WoolProducers Australia president Richard Halliday also welcomed Ms Garnsey as the new chair of AWI.
“She brings a new skillset to the role, which should be interesting for industry,” he said.
Mr Halliday said he also looked forward to AWI addressing all 82 recommendations made in the EY review and implementing them “for the betterment of the wool industry”.
“Transparency, accountability and effective consultation by AWI are all vital to the industry,” he said.
Mr Halliday thanked outgoing chair Wal Merriman for his time as AWI chair and hoped he would make a valuable contribution as a board member.
