The members of Australia’s peak farm body, the National Farmers Federation, this morning elected Queensland grazier Brent Finlay as the NFF’s 12th president, at NFF's AGM and nembers’ council meeting in Canberra.

He succeeds outgoing president, Duncan Fraser.

Mr Finlay, from the Traprock region in southeast Queensland, has more than 25 years’ experience in agriculture through his family’s farming business, where he has worked extensively in sheep, wool, cattle, grain and hay production.

He currently runs Cooinda, a sheepmeat, wool and beef property with his three daughters. 

Mr Finlay has served in representative roles for 13 years, rising from president of the Traprock Wool Association in 2000 to senior vice president of WoolProducers Australia in 2008.

He became president of AgForce Queensland in 2010, and vice president of the National Farmers Federation in 2013.

Mr Finlay paid tribute to outgoing president Duncan Fraser, who as vice president took the reins of the NFF when former president Jock Laurie stepped down from the position in April, to seek political pre-selection.

“Mr Fraser has been a passionate advocate for the agriculture for some 27 years, and has led NFF for the past seven months, through a tumultuous period in federal politics that has seen three agriculture ministers and three prime ministers hold their respective offices,” Mr Finlay said.

“I thank Mr Fraser for his dedicated service to the NFF and to Australian farmers.”

Another Queensland beef producer, Christine Rolfe, was elected as NFF vice-president today. Ms Rolfe, from Springsure, is the vice president/treasurer for AgForce Queensland, following terms as state councillor, vice president and regional president for AgForce Central Qld.

Three former NFF board directors have been reappointed to their positions: NSW mixed farmer and grazier, and president of the NSW Farmers’ Association, Fiona Simson; Victorian mixed farmer and grazier, and president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Peter Tuohey; and Queensland grain and beef producer, and President of AgForce Queensland, Ian Burnett.

Two new board directors have also been elected today: Victorian mixed farmer and grazier and VFF vice-president David Jochinke; and NSW ricegrower, Les Gordon.

New president Brent Finlay said as the sector entered a period of (hoped for) relative political stability, it was time to get the focus away from politics and back onto policy – and to drive forward the outcomes that farmers and graziers needed from Government.

“There are many issues that need to be addressed – from drought policy to foreign investment – and I look forward to being a strong voice for the farming sector,” he said.

Mr Finlay was elected at today’s , where elections for NFF vice president and board director positions are currently underway.

• Mr Finlay’s full biography can be viewed here