Wine Australia says it welcomes the announcement by federal agriculture, fisheries and forestry minister, Julie Collins, that five new directors have been appointed to the Wine Australia board for a three-year term, from 1 October.
Collins said the board were appointed following an “extensive selection process” with an independent committee that was appointed by industry body Australian Grape & Wine.
The new directors are:
- Dr Angeline Achariya, Victoria
- Roslyn Baker, Queensland
- Andrew Kay, South Australia
- Elizabeth Riley, New South Wales
- Peta Slack-Smith, Victoria.
They will join incumbent chair, Dr Michele Allan, who was appointed in July 2020.
Collins said the new board possessed a “wealth of skills, expertise and board experience”.
“They will help foster and encourage profitable, resilient and sustainable Australian winegrape and wine businesses.
“Wine Australia is well positioned to continue supporting a competitive wine sector, growing domestic and international markets and protecting the reputation of Australian wine, thanks in great measure to the contributions of the outgoing board members,” Collins said.
Wine Australia is a statutory body that invests in R&D, extension and adoption, that deliver tangible benefits to grapegrowers and winemakers. It works on developing markets that will provide new opportunities to raise the profile and reputation of Australian wine, while pursuing and protecting market access opportunities for producers and exporters.
It is co-funded, with grapegrower, winemaker and exporter levies and user-pays charges, matched by funds from the federal government for research and innovation.
The directors work to ensure compliance with Wine Australia’s regulatory functions by investing in research and development, building markets and disseminating market information and knowledge.
They replace the outgoing board of Catherine Oates, Catherine Cooper, Frances-Anne Keeler, Mitchell Taylor, Mr Justin Brown and John Lloyd.
Wine Australia CEO, Dr Martin Cole, welcomed the new appointments and thanked the outgoing directors for their contributions, with some having served multiple terms.
“The leadership demonstrated by the outgoing board has been vital in navigating what has been arguably the most unique set of challenges the sector has faced; from the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters including bushfires and floods, the imposition – and eventual removal – of import duties by China, and an oversupply problem exacerbated by declining consumption trends,” Cole said.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have had their support, guidance and advice since commencing in my role with Wine Australia. Their vision and expertise have been critical through significant challenges and the sector has benefitted greatly from their contributions.”
Cole said the recent launch of the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan has highlighted “urgent and longer-term priorities…with a need for strong leadership through a time of significant commercial, technical and environmental challenges”.
“We are at a critical time for the Australian grape and wine industry. It is important that sector leaders are equipped with the knowledge and passion to work towards a sector that is innovative, profitable, resilient and sustainable,” Cole said.
The board appointments follow the federal government announcing a multimillion-dollar package to boost the sector’s long-term viability.
The $3.5 million Grape and Wine Sector Long-Term Viability Package includes an independent impact analysis led by Dr Craig Emerson concerning fair trading, competitive relationships, contracting practices and risk allocation in the sector. Public consultation for the analysis is now open.
