Improved performance at Australian Wool Innovation

Undertaken every three years as part of AWI’s statutory agreement with Federal Government, the review is a comprehensive study of the operations and outcomes of the Australian wool industry research, development and marketing company.

AWI CEO Stuart McCullough said the results of the review highlight AWI’s commitment to Australian growers and its ability to continue to deliver benefits for the industry.

“The review accurately reflects our collective commitment to improvement and to demonstrating a return on investment for Australian woolgrowers,” he said.

“This outcome is the result of a lot of very hard work by the Board, senior management team and all the staff at AWI.” 

The 2009-2012 Review of Performance was conducted by SED consulting who have undertaken similar reviews of performance for various research and development corporations in recent years.

The review focused on AWI’s performance in three key areas;

• meeting its regulatory obligations under the Statutory Funding Agreement (SFA).
• the implementation of AWI’s Strategic and annual Operating Plans and the effectiveness of AWI in meeting the various performance indicators and budget tolerances set out in those plans. 
• implementation of recommendations outlined within the 2006-2009 Review of Performance and the 2010 adjunct Review of Performance.

The consultants found “the performance of AWI as judged by this year’s review represents a significant turnaround from the company’s performance as described in the 2009 Review. There is clear evidence of the very significant efforts of the Board and senior management to establish, document and communicate the processes and procedures consistent with good corporate governance.”

Initiatives such as the Industry Consultative Committee, quarterly briefings of state farming organisations and the Animal Welfare Forum have been cited as examples of AWI’s improved consultation with stakeholders. An increased presence at regular woolgrower events, AWI woolgrower networks, monthly e-newsletters and an expansion of Beyond the Bale magazine are cited as examples of improved communications with woolgrowers.

The Review included four recommendations for AWI to consider including:

• Develop a firm schedule of regular meetings of the executive team.
• Expand the performance review process to include each of the committees.
• Review the role and composition of the Science and Welfare Advisory Committee.
• Continue to develop and refine the monitoring and evaluation framework.

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)