1 July 2009
DAFF09/285B

The Rudd Government has delivered on its commitment to retain existing members of the National Rural Advisory Council, who provide expert advice on drought declarations.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the move was made possible by legislative amendments successfully passed by the Government last month.

The eight-member NRAC is the minister’s independent expert advisory body on rural issues, including Exceptional Circumstances declarations and extensions.

The amendments to the Rural Adjustment Act extend the maximum number of terms NRAC members can serve from two to three.

Chairman Keith Perrett and council members Keryl Enright, Georgina Somerset and Sharon Starick have now been appointed to serve a third term of up to three years.

Andrew Locke has been appointed for a second term.

“The Government has always been very clear that we will not change the rules for those people currently receiving drought support,” Mr Burke said.

“We’re keeping the very same people on the job to continue to advise on Exceptional Circumstances declarations.

“This should provide further confidence for those farmers who are still living with the toughest conditions in memory.”

Around 18,000 farmers and 1,000 small businesses are currently receiving Exceptional Circumstances income support.

     Appointments to the National Rural Advisory Council

Keith Perrett - Chairman
Mr Perrett is currently chairman of the Wheat Research Foundation of NSW, a former member of the National Farmers’ Federation Executive Committee and former chair of the NFF Trade Committee. Mr Perrett has attended various international trade talks and conferences and was the president of the Grains Council of Australia from 2001 to 2005. He has extensive experience in chairing high-level committees and boards and a broad knowledge of rural and regional issues. Mr Perrett runs a 1,000-hectare mixed grain, sheep and cattle property near Gunnedah, NSW.

Keryl Enright - Member
Mrs Enright was previously deputy chairman of Animal Health Australia, chair of the Agriculture Protection Board of Western Australia, chair of the WA Ovine Johne’s Disease Steering Committee and deputy chair of the board of the Muresk Institute - Curtin University’s school of agribusiness, applied biosciences and environmental biology. Mrs Enright is a partner in a mixed enterprise of cereal grains, merino sheep and beef cattle near Mount Barker, Western Australia.

Andrew Locke - Member
Mr Locke is associated with McPherson Consulting Group, an associate with Good & Associates Consulting and business manager for a large family farming enterprise at Walcha, NSW. He has 15 years’ professional banking experience with Westpac, including as the New England Regional Manager and as a member of Westpac’s National Agribusiness Council. Mr Locke is also acting chairman of the New England-North West Area Consultative Committee.

Georgina Somerset - Member
Ms Somerset has extensive experience in regional and rural development through her involvement with the Queensland Rural Women’s Network and with community and industry organisations at state and national levels. Ms Somerset is a working partner in a family beef property in southern Queensland and director of a beef marketing group.

Sharon Starick - Member
Ms Starick is Executive Officer of the Soil Boards CARE Committee, and the Murray Plains, Murray Mallee and Coorong District Soil Conservation Boards. She is a member of the Natural Resource Management Council of South Australia and the South Australian Committee of Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc and Deputy Chair of the Natural Resources Committee of the South Australian Farmers Federation. Ms Starick is a partner in a farming operation that includes dryland farming, egg production and a piggery enterprise near Cambrai, South Australia.