Former Australian Ambassador to China Dr Geoff Raby

FORMER Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, will be a keynote speaker at LIVEXchange 2017 later this month.

The conference at the Crown Towers in Perth on November 15-16 will be hosted by the Western Australian Livestock Export Association, with the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council and LiveCorp.

Dr Raby was Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2007 to 2011 and following completion of his ambassadorial term, after 27 years in the public service which was mostly with DFAT, he resigned and has since established a Beijing-based advisory firm.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive officer Simon Westaway said Dr Raby’s presentation would be a highlight of the conference.

“Dr Raby’s presentation will provide key insights in relation to adapting Australian businesses to succeed in the challenging and unique Chinese market,” Mr Westaway said.

Dr Raby’s keynote speech will be complemented by a wide range of other high-profile presenters, which includes senior agribusiness executive David Lock, the managing director of Western Australian-based vertically integrated seafood business, Mareterram Limited. Mr Lock’s presentation will be titled “Taking stock: Making choices and planning for the future”.

The Australian newspaper’s foreign affairs editor, Greg Sheridan, will also be attending to discuss improved relations and enhanced business confidence between Australia and Asia. Harvard University Professor of Law, Dr Kristen Stilt, will speak on Islamic law and halal slaughter, drawing on her extensive research into the intersection of animal law and religious law.

RSPCA NSW chief executive officer Steve Coleman will discuss how industry can work successfully with the peak animal welfare organisation, examining recent collaboration with the greyhound racing industry as a relevant example.

LIVEXchange 2017 is expected to attract more than 400 industry stakeholders from across Australia and overseas.