Nine levy payer representatives have been appointed to the dairy industry’s recently established Levy Poll Advisory Committee.
Announcing the appointments, Chair of the Committee, John Lawrenson, thanked all levy payers who nominated for a position on the committee.
“In appointing levy payer representatives to the committee we have done our best to ensure a broad representation from across the dairy industry,” he said.
“This Committee will play a vital role in determining what level of funding will be required to support the long term research, development and extension strategy for the industry. Its decisions will have broad-reaching implications for the Australian dairy industry.”
The newly appointed levy payer representatives are Di Bowles – Victoria (North), Noel Campbell – Victoria (East), Nick Cramp – Tasmania, Donna Edge – Victoria (West), Peter Evans – WA, Robert Miller – NSW, Michael Perich – NSW, Matthew Trace – Queensland and Susan Wearden – Victoria (North).
They will join the independent chair and the six initial members of the Levy Poll Advisory Committee. The Initial Committee members are: John Lawrenson – Chair, David Basham – Acting President, Australian Dairy Farmers, Dr Dedee Woodside – Director, Australian Dairy Farmers, Ross Joblin – Company Secretary, Dairy Australia, Jeff Odgers – Director, Dairy Australia and Robert Poole – President, Australian Dairy Products Federation.
The Levy Poll Advisory Committee (LPAC) will determine if a change to the level or structure of the levy should be recommended – and a poll held as a result.
In late 2015, dairy levy payers supported the removal of the compulsory requirement for Dairy Australia to convene a levy poll at least every five years. Instead, legislation has now been passed to effect this change.