A PANEL has been established to support the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency in its work to help farmers, communities and related small businesses impacted by recent floods.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Advisory Board would bring invaluable experience and insights to the flood recovery effort.

“We’re in this for the long-haul because we know the scale and time it will take to get North Queensland back on its feet after the floods,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is about bringing together the right mix of people to help guide the Recovery Agency over the coming months and years.”

The Board will support the CEO of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency (the Agency), Shane Stone AC QC, and comprises members with extensive experience in the livestock industry, stakeholder groups, and representatives of federal and local governments.

Members of the Advisory Board are:

·        Shane Stone AC QC (Chair) – CEO North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency
·        Tracey Hayes – former CEO of NT Cattlemen’s Association and board member of the Council for the Order of Australia
·        Don Heatley OAM – former Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia
·        Greg Campbell – Mayor of Cloncurry Shire Council
·        David Galvin – former Chair of LiveCorp
·        Daryl Quinlivan – Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

The Agency CEO and Board Chair Shane Stone AC QC said he was focused on getting out to the communities most affected by the flooding to better understand what they needed.

“The Board will play a vital role in providing expert advice, especially as a long-term recovery strategy is developed,” Mr Stone said.

“The Agency’s approach will be based on locally led, locally understood and locally implemented solutions, and this will be a community-led recovery implemented in partnership with the Queensland and local governments.”

The Agency Advisory Board held its’ inaugural meeting in Townsville yesterday.

For more information about the Advisory Board and the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency, visit http://pmc.gov.au/nqlira