Proposed reform of the Dairy industry’s representative structures

By Australian Dairy Plan

Dear Dairy Industry Stakeholder,

I’m pleased to update you regarding the engagement and design process for the proposed reform of the dairy industry’s representative structures.

As you will be aware, structural reform of the industry is a crucial element of the Australian Dairy Plan (ADP) and preparatory work is already well underway following the publication of the Joint Transition Team’s (JTT) report and recommendations in late January.

An Organisational Reform Steering Committee will shortly be formed, comprising two Directors from three of the Dairy Plan partner organisations (Australian Dairy Farmers, Australian Dairy Products Federation and Dairy Australia). This committee will oversee the development of reform options, ensure strong industry engagement and an appropriate vote to create a reformed industry structure. The Steering Committee will continue to function until replaced by an Establishment Board of a new organisation, or until a decision is made to conclude structural reform activities. The full Terms of Reference is available here .

An Engagement and Design Team has been appointed to support the Steering Committee in its work, with professional services firm EY acting as Design Lead and former Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director David Palmer acting as Engagement Lead.

Industry engagement is a vital component of the transformational changes recommended by the JTT. We are committed not only to a high level of engagement and consultation on these changes, but to shaping the future structure of the industry in response to the views gathered during this process. As I advised in my update last month, the focus of industry bodies on supporting dairy during COVID-19 has impacted some timings related to the Australian Dairy Plan. The Australian Dairy Plan itself is nearly finalised following industry consultation earlier this year.

The Engagement and Design Team will arrange to meet with industry representative bodies, individuals and interested parties over coming weeks and months. It is expected that a series of public consultation meetings will also be organised once current restrictions have been lifted.

I trust the above information will reassure you regarding the rigour that is being applied to the vital task of organisational reform.

Kind regards,

John Brumby AO

 Independent Chair

 Australian Dairy Plan