Live Export

WA CSIRO manager takes live sheep phaseout transition job

Sheep Central January 29, 2025

Dr Chris Rodwell.

WESTERN Australian-based CSIRO program manager Dr Chris Rodwell has been appointed as the transition advocate for the Albanese Labor Government’s phaseout of live sheep exports by sea.

A statement from Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said Dr Rodwell has specialised in agricultural exports, animal welfare, disease preparedness and biosecurity.

He has most recently been engaged by the CSIRO, working at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness and has held senior roles in the Western Australian, Commonwealth and New Zealand governments.

The government said the transition advocate will facilitate two-way communication between industry and government, provide information to industry about the transition plan and assistance, and provide advice to government on how the transition is progressing.

Dr Rodwell said he is pleased to be taking on the role of the transition advocate.

“Transparency, communication and engagement are important aspects of the transition process, and the role of transition advocate is crucial in acting as a conduit between industry and government.

“I feel that I am well-positioned to make those connections and ensure that the interests of the sheep supply chain and policy makers are heard,” he said in a statement.

“I plan on listening to industry to make sure the activities in my workplan best reflect how I can assist the current sheep supply chain to transition to a future without live sheep exports by sea.

“I plan to start by observing some of the co-design workshops in coming weeks,” he said.

“I will be reporting regularly to government, providing updates and assessment of how the transition is going.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the sheep supply industry, the government and the department, to smooth the transition and navigate this together, for a vibrant and strong future,” Dr Rodwell said.

SPA issues with roles ‘unaddressed’

Dr Rodwell’s appointment and the government’s insistence on the role’s communication focus has come despite industry feedback to appoint a transition taskforce focusing on industry assistance.

Sheep producers Australia CEO Bonnie Skinner said SPA provided clear advice to the Federal Government last year that, for the transition advocate to be an effective mechanism, it would need the ability to provide independent advice to the government on policy matters relating to the implementation and adapt the transition plan as necessary to achieve the best outcomes for the industry.

“This advice remains unaddressed.

“SPA has great concerns about how the transition advocate role, as it is currently described, will genuinely support and listen to producers, not simply be a communications mechanism for the Federal Government,” Ms Skinner said.

“The well-being of the people in our industry and their families is our top priority.

“SPA will engage with the appointed transition advocate Dr Rodwell and make clear our concerns and those of many sheep producers, businesses and their communities.”

A DAFF spokesperson said Dr Rodwell will begin work as the transition advocate as soon as practicable, and is hoping to attend co-design workshops to listen first-hand to farmers and other members of the supply chain.

“The public expression of interest invited applicants advisory group role as well as a Transition Advocate.

“After reviewing the applications, Dr Rodwell best met the selection criteria and is the appropriate person to take on this role,” the spokesperson said.

Last week Nationals leader David Littleproud said despite the position having a $1.7 million commitment from Labor, not one single person in the entire country wanted a bar of it.

“It speaks volumes that Labor is prepared to pay millions for a phaseout co-ordinator, but not one person in the country wants to take on this terrible role,” Mr Littleproud said.

“It is Australia’s least wanted, highest paying job, paying an enormous $1600 a day for up to 80 days.

“It is clear no one wants to be the transition advocate, because no farmer wants the phaseout of live sheep exports to proceed,” Mr Littleproud said.

After the announcement of Dr Rodwell, the Nationals reaffirmed their commitment to reinstate the live sheep export trade under a future Coalition government and Mr Littleproud said despite the role paying an enormous $1600 a day for up to 80 days, the position had proved difficult to fill, because no farmer wants the phase out of live sheep exports to proceed.

“The live sheep transition ‘advocate’ announcement is sad and insulting for the live sheep industry and for agriculture.

“Farmers don’t want an ‘advocate’ or handouts, they just want to keep their industry,” Mr Littleproud said.

Advocate role is import to a successful transition

Ms Collins said the government has delivered on its commitment to phase out the export of live sheep by sea.

“Dr Chris Rodwell’s role will be important in achieving a successful transition to the end of the trade.

“Dr Rodwell will play a critical role linking stakeholders, producers and the supply chain to government,” she said.

“We are investing in the transition of the Australian sheep supply chain, growing the sheep meat industry, maintaining Australia’s commitment to animal welfare and increasing national and export trade markets.

“I thank all the applicants who expressed their interest in the role.”

The Australian Parliament has legislated to end live sheep exports by sea by 1 May 2028 and has announced a $139.7 million transition assistance package to assist individuals, communities and businesses as they transition towards 2028.

Dr Rodwell’s LinkedIn profile shows he has worked extensively in New Zealand for the Ministry for Primary Industries in the areas of engagement, animal welfare and biosecurity compliance and live animal exports.

An extremely difficult job – ALEC

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton said at the eleventh hour the Commonwealth Government has finally found someone for the most unpopular job in the country.

“I find it interesting that according to Dr Rodwell’s background he worked for the New Zealand Government that banned live exports there and now with a change of government they are now looking to reinstate the trade.

“It will be an extremely difficult job for Dr Rodwell as we know this is a transition in something that we do not think is entirely possible,” he said.

“I think it is significant that the government had to go through a recruitment process for something that would normally be simply a ministerial appointment.”

 

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Comments

  1. Kirsten Anderson, January 29, 2025

    The appointment of Dr Chris Rodwell to the new role of coordinating onshore development of the sheep industry and communicating the federal government’s live export phase-out to all industry stakeholders must be lauded.
    The government is extending considerable financial and infrastructure support to building an old-but-new approach to home-based processing of sheep meat that will greatly improve animal welfare standards and ensure biosecurity and surveillance measures that presumably will ensure a healthier and ethical export market for Australian sheep products.

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