Central Queensland beef, grain and cotton producer Ian Burnett has today taken up the position of AgForce General President following the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in Brisbane.

Mr Burnett has been an active figure in agripolitics for more than 40 years and comes to the role having served as AgForce vice-president for the past two terms.  Last month he was elected a Director of National Farmers’ Federation.

Mr Burnett said he will draw on his knowledge as a hands-on primary producer coupled with extensive agripolitical knowledge to lead the organisation.

“This is a time of great challenge yet also great opportunity for our industry, particularly given we have been identified by the State Government as one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy,” Mr Burnett said.

“For these opportunities to be realised and for the rural sector to be able to deliver sustainable production and economic outcomes we must have a policy framework in place that supports us in running strong agricultural businesses.”

“AgForce’s advocacy work will focus on key areas that facilitate the development of these frameworks.”

Also today AgForce welcomed a number of new State Councillors including Darcy Volz (Vice President), Howard Smith (Cattle Board President), Peter Anderson (Central Queensland Regional President), Carl Moller (CQ Councillor), Mark Collins (CQ Councillor), Ivan Naggs (South East Queensland Councillor), Anthony Symonds (SEQ Councillor), Grant Maudsley (Southern Inland Queensland Regional President) and Gordon ‘Hugh’ Miller (South West Regional President).

AgForce Chief Executive Officer, Charles Burke, said the new Councillors, along with those who have retained their positions from last term, had a strong mix of expertise that would be fundamental to policy development that accurately reflects the needs of members.  He also thanked outgoing Executive and Councillors, including former General President Brent Finlay, for their tireless work over previous years.

“AgForce is by far one of the strongest State Farming Organisations in the country and much of this success can be attributed to the depth of knowledge and expertise of our elected members,” Mr Burke said.

“We look forward to further building on this strength with the assistance of our new State Council as we continue to advocate for the best possible outcomes for the primary producers of this State.”

Current AgForce State Councillors: 

Source: AgForce