STATE and territory finalists of Cattle Council of Australia’s 2017 NAB Agribusiness Rising Beef Industry Champion have spent a busy two days in Canberra this week at the Process of Government and How to influence Change workshop developing their leadership and networking skills, as well as gaining an insight into government and political processes.

Meetings were held with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources The Hon Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment The Hon Steven Ciobo, Shadow Minister for Agriculture The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP and Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Daryl Quinlivan.

Now in its seventh year, the initiative attracts young producers from across the country, interested in having their say on behalf of their industry. The initiative aims to attract the next generation of advocates for the cattle industry whose talent and vision can be harnessed to enable industry to respond to future market and consumers trends.

2017 Tasmanian NAB Rising Champion Darcy Nicklason thought the workshop provided a “fantastic opportunity to meet producers from all across Australia and network with people who create policy”.

Cattle Council of Australia’s Independent Board Director Marc Greening said “The two day program provides the participants with an insight into advocacy in action and an in-depth understanding of real issues currently facing the beef industry”.

“Gaining access to the calibre of presenters and one on one time with Ministers has exposed the rising champions to the complexity of advocacy in the beef sector” Mr Greening said.

2017 New South Wales NAB Rising Champion Tom Heggeton said that the program provided a “great opportunity for those passionate about the beef industry to get involved. There are many exciting opportunities for the youth of today in this sector”.

The 2017 national announcement coincides with the Cattle Council of Australia and the Meat and Livestock Australia Annual General Meetings to extend the networking opportunities for the finalists.  The finalist that demonstrates the greatest leadership potential will win the title of ‘2017 NAB Rising Beef Industry Champion’ to be announced at a Gala Dinner on the 20th November in Alice Springs, NT.

Source: Cattle Council of Australia