A new method for AWI to consult with woolgrower representative bodies was developed with industry endorsement and rolled out in 2019. Here we outline the two consultation forums and the work that they undertake.
AWI believes to be effective, accountable and productive, good consultation is essential.
A crucial component of AWI's consultation with industry is with woolgrower representative bodies. The new model for consultation that was rolled out in 2019 enables AWI to find out the key R&D and marketing priorities of these bodies and the woolgrowers that they represent, while also providing them with information on AWI activities and performance.
In developing the new consultation model, AWI sought to ensure that it was inclusive of more groups, to bring feedback from the varied regional and organisational perspectives, while ensuring there was a core group that AWI could engage more regularly with on more specific issues.
There are two key forums through which AWI formally consults and engages with woolgrower representative groups.
AWI Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel
The AWI Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel (WICP) comprises a core group of members from the following seven national woolgrower organisations:
- Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders
- Australian Superfine Wool Growers' Association
- Australian Wool Growers Association
- WoolProducers Australia
- Pastoralists & Graziers Association (PGA) - Western Australia
- Broad wool representative
- Commercial Merino Ewe Competitions Association.
The WICP also includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and the AWI Board, and is led by an independent chair.
The purpose of this forum is to ensure a clear two-way consultation between AWI and organisational representatives through to woolgrowers. WICP meetings were held four times during the 2020/21 financial year.
AWI Woolgrower Consultation Group
The second forum, the AWI Woolgrower Consultation Group (WCG) is a broader group comprising 28 representatives of state and regional production-based woolgrower groups, as well as the members of the WICP.
The WCG meets at least once a year to coincide with key dates in AWI's planning cycle, enabling industry feedback to be considered in the company's decision-making. However, in 2020 the WCG met more frequently (some online due to the current COVID-19 social distancing guidelines) because the WCG was the principal oversight body for delivering the 10-year strategic plan for woolgrowers – Wool 2030. In doing so, the WCG was joined in 2020 by next generation representatives.
