Establishment of a Strategic Steering Group
As the Independent Transition Advocate, I am committed to ensuring the best possible transition for the Western Australian sheep industry as we move towards the end of live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028. My job is to help everyone understand what a transition looks like where sheep remain integral to the rural fabric of agriculture in WA.
Since I started in my role, I've worked hard to speak to as many producers and organisations as possible about the challenges faced by the sector and what the future could look like.
I've heard some of these challenges are not the result of the ban but have been thrown into sharp relief because of it. The government's transition package will help, but many of these challenges will require a step-change, leadership and for all of the supply chain to work together to re-build confidence so the sector can grow and thrive domestically and globally.
One of the things I've consistently heard is that the sheep industry in Western Australia needs a clear pathway to help guide investment and thinking on what good looks like as it transitions. This also came through strongly in the co-design workshops earlier this year.
I am pleased to announce the establishment of a leadership group which will play a central role in guiding the development of an evidence-backed industry strategy for the WA sheep and wool sector. The strategy will outline priority actions to help guide system change and ensure that the sector is best positioned for growth and investment.
The Strategic Steering Group (SSG) brings together respected leaders from across the sheep and wool sector, each with strong industry experience and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Ms Bindi Murray, Ms Erin Gorter and Mr Ashley Herbert will join me as the members of the SSG.
Bindi, Erin and Ashley are all participating in an individual capacity for their skills and knowledge in the sheep industry and will not be acting as representatives for any respective organisations or businesses.
As group we will be focused on the things needed to ensure a continued profitable and productive sheep supply chain in Western Australia and one of our first tasks will be ensuring we have a clear current state of the sector that is informed by evidence and data.
I look forward to working closely with the members of the SSG and continuing to engage with the broader industry to ensure a strong and vibrant sheep industry in Western Australia.
See the Terms of Reference for the SSG and biographies of members.
