The Australian Government is investing $15 million over four years under the Global Agriculture Leadership Initiative. This initiative is designed to step up Australia’s leadership in international agriculture and food policy discussions.
Increased, focussed effort will enhance Australia’s global reputation and leadership on agricultural trade. It will lift our engagement and influence in multilateral institutions and strengthen relationships with key likeminded partners.
Australian agriculture interests are impacted significantly by international developments. This includes global policy debates on issues such as agriculture sustainability, anti-microbial resistance and animal welfare.
Special Representative for Australian Agriculture
Ms Su McCluskey has been appointed as the first Special Representative for Australian Agriculture.
The Special Representative will:
- amplify existing efforts to protect global rules and norms
- enhance Australian engagement in key international agriculture and food standards organisations
- engage internationally and domestically and provide a visible face for our efforts to support the rules-based order of global co-operation. This is a key factor in growing Australian agricultural trade.
- work with Australian agricultural industries and promote Australia’s systems to influence global rules, norms and policy. This will strengthen our engagement at a time where trade in agriculture is facing unprecedented challenges.
About Su McCluskey
As a Director of Australian Unity, Foundation for Young Australians, Australasian Pork Research Institute, NSW Rice Marketing Board, Energy Renaissance and a Commissioner for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Ms McCluskey will bring a depth of knowledge across the agricultural sector in her role as the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture.
Previously Ms McCluskey was the CEO of the Regional Australia Institute and the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations, and the Executive Director of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. She has held senior positions with the Business Council of Australia, the National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Taxation Office.
While not working for Australian industry, Ms McCluskey runs a beef cattle farm at Yass, NSW. Ms McCluskey was named the Westpac/Australian Financial Review Regional Women of Influence in 2013 and received the Women in Agribusiness award in 2014 for outstanding contribution to policy development.
Enhanced engagement in International standards organisations
Globally agreed animal, plant and food health standards underpin Australia’s agriculture trade. International standards, using science-based decision making, are the cornerstone of international production and trade. Australia invests significant time and resources to influence and develop international standards that represent Australia’s interest. This allows agricultural industries to operate with confidence.
This initiative will boost Australian expertise and input to key standard setting bodies, including Codex, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).