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| Rural Industries |
Who We Are
What We Do Our Accountability
Our Vision & Mission The Board
Highlights
This report provides information so that the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, the National Farmers' Federation, industry levy payers, research organisations and other interested parties can analyse the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation's activities and achievements during 1994-95.
Who We Are
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
(RIRDC) is a statutory Corporation formed in July 1990
under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and
Development (PIERD) Act 1989.
It was set up by the Commonwealth Government to work with Australian rural industries on the organisation and financing of their R&D needs. The Corporation also manages research programs and funds for the Government.
The Corporation has a Board of nine directors and employs 15 Canberra-based staff and three part-time program co-ordinators (Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide based).
What We Do
RIRDC manages research and development investments on
behalf of government and industry for the benefit of
the people of Australia.
During 1994-95, the Corporation financed some 450 projects (including scholarships, travel, conferences and workshops) in 23 program areas with a total value of $12.46m. These areas include new and emerging plant and animal industries, and generic programs such as agribusiness, extension, rural education, and climate change.
Our investment funds came from Commonwealth appropriations, voluntary industry contributions, industry levies, Commonwealth dollar for dollar matching funds, and a small amount of royalty income.
In August we invited applications for research projects which addressed our published R&D priorities through advertisements in major newspapers and circulars to research agencies. In September we advertised a small number of post-graduate scholarships. Throughout the year, we sought tenders for commissioned projects, organised workshops, reviewed projects and research needs, evaluated project outcomes and supported researchers and industry persons to attend national and international conferences.
In 1994-95 RIRDC also provided financial services to five semi-independent associated research and development Councils (Chicken Meat, Dried Fruits, Egg Industry, Honeybee and Tobacco) which were established under the same Act. During 1994-95, the Councils collectively funded some 200 projects totalling $4.96m.
(NB: The activities of the Chicken Meat, Egg Industry and Honeybee R&D Councils were incorporated within RIRDC. The Tobacco R&D Council was abolished and a Tobacco R&D Corporation was established on 1 July 1995 (note: the Council did not change its status).
Our Accountability
The Corporation is responsible to the Minister for Primary
Industries and Energy, Senator Bob Collins, to whom
it submits a Five-Year Research and Development Plan,
an Annual Operating Plan and an Annual Report. The
Corporation is also required to consult with and report
to the National Farmers' Federation.
Under section 143 of the PIERD Act, the Minister may give written directions as to the performance of the Corporation's functions and the exercise of its powers. No such directions were given in 1994-95.
Our Vision
Our vision is for an innovative, efficient and profitable
Australian rural sector producing and marketing quality,
differentiated products from ecologically sustainable
production systems into discerning world markets; and
for RIRDC to be recognised as a leading manager of
research and development.
Our Mission
Our mission is to manage research and development investments
on behalf of government and industry for the benefit
of the people of Australia. We will achieve this by:
Our Values
1.To be commercially orientated, cost effective and
able to deliver economic and social benefits for client
industries and for government.
2.To be professional and ethical in all our operations.
3.To offer timely, courteous and quality service.
4.To be accountable, especially through effective reports to industry and to government.
The Corporation's Board is comprised of nine directors: the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Government Director, Managing Director, and five other directors. Eight are appointed by the Minister while the Managing Director is appointed by the Board. Six of the directors are nominated by a selection committee, established by the Minister in consultation with the National Farmers' Federation, and appointed for a three year term. However, the Government Director and the Managing Director may be reappointed at any time for variable terms.
The directors were selected from a wide cross-section of the rural business community, and together brought in expertise in production, processing, marketing, R&D administration, business management, technology transfer, and environmental and ecological matters. On 8 November 1994, the Minister appointed Mr Bob McCarthy as the Chairperson of the Corporation, replacing Mr David Farley, who resigned his position in July 1994.
Chairman - Mr Bob McCarthy
Mr McCarthy is the Chief Executive of the McCarthy Consulting
Group and runs a cattle and sheep property in northern
NSW. Formerly Chairman of the Australian Meat and Livestock
Industry Policy Council and General Manager Marketing
of the Australian Wheat Board.
Deputy Chairman - Mr John Herbert
Mr Herbert is Chief Executive of Pacific Seeds in Toowoomba,
and has a special expertise in international agribusiness.
Director - Mr Tony Gleeson
Mr Gleeson is the Managing Director of Synapse Consulting
in Brisbane, owner/manager of a beef property, a board
member of the Queensland Abattoir Corporation, and
Technical Coordinator of the Northern Australian Program
of the Meat Research Corporation.
Director - Mr Rodney Field
Mr Field is an innovative primary producer (sheep and
grains) with a long involvement in agricultural research
and rural organisations.
Director - Professor Margaret Britz
Professor Britz is Deputy Dean, Faculty of Science and
Director, Centre for Bioprocessing and Food Technology
at the Victorian University of Technology. She also
chairs the Environmental Council of Victoria.
Director - Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
Mr Smith is an innovative producer and processor of
a wide range of crops near Griffith, NSW, and one of
Australia's major tomato growers. He is also a director
of Rural Press Ltd and of the Australian Rural Leadership
Foundation.
Director - Professor Alan Trounson
Professor Trounson is Director of the Centre for Early
Human Development at Monash University, a primary producer
and an active animal conservationist.
Director - Mr Mike Hitchens
Mr Hitchens is an Assistant Secretary in the Department
of Primary Industries and Energy with broad experience
in natural resource industries and public administration.
Managing Director - Mr Keith Hyde
Mr Hyde has been Managing Director of the Corporation
since its inception in 1990, with prior experience
in extension, research program management and policy
development.
Last updated: 9 August 1996
Copyright © RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/anrep95/anrep1.html