Can a copy be provided of all Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) board and board sub-committee meeting minutes that address the relationship between GRDC and each of the following: (a) Single Vision Grains Australia Limited; and (b) the unincorporated entity Single Vision, including ‘interim’ directors and staff; if not, why not.

Extracts of the relevant Minutes of GRDC Board meetings are attached:

(1)   Meeting on 4 and 6 April 2005 - Item 15.1

(2)   Meeting on 8 June 2005 - Item 18.1

(3)   Meeting on 28 and 29 July 2005 - Item 10.18, last dot point of Item 11.2

(4)   Meeting on 7 September 2005 -first dot point of Item 6.2

(5)   Meeting on 8 February 2006 - first dot point of Item 4.1

(6)   Meeting on 4 April 2006 - Item 12.

(7)   Meeting on 7 June 2006 - Item 7 (Minutes are not yet available, so are not attached).

Question No. 1850 attachment

Extracts of GRDC Board meeting Minutes:

GRDC Board meeting on 4 and 6 April 2005- Item 15.1

4 April 2005

“15.  Other business

15.1  Single Vision Australia

This Item was addressed in stages during the meeting.

After Item 1, the Chairman and Managing Director outlined the background to this issue:

   •       GCA proposed establishment of a company, Single Vision Australia Limited (SVA), to carry forward implementation of the Single Vision strategic plan.

   •       The proposal has changed significantly over time, particularly in the last week. It is now suggested that GRDC establish, fund and control a company to implement Single Vision.

   •       [text deleted because not relevant to question]

The General Counsel outlined the extent of GRDC’s legal powers and key legal issues arising from the proposal.

The Board discussed the proposal at length, including:

   •       the extent of industry progress in implementing Single Vision and what now needs to be done to implement it;

   •       concerns that the GRDC Board is being asked to decide on the proposal quickly, with political risks involved;

   •       potential structures;

   •       roles and outcomes of the Forums and Task Forces; and

   •       relationship with GCA.

The Board then deferred further discussion until after the Consult meeting with GCA later in the day. On resumption of discussion, Mr Dobos, Mr Fraser, Mr Harvey, Mr Lloyd, Mr Logan and Mr Whiteley were in attendance.

The Board discussed:

   •       potential structure - interim Board with administrative support, not incorporated at this stage;

   •       GRDC seed funding of up to $1 million per year for 2 years, dependant on a satisfactory business plan;

   •       the need for independence - the interim Board is to decide on a small number of tasks to address in the first 12 months.

B803       Resolved:

1.   GRDC is prepared to provide seed funds of up to $1 million per year, over 2 years, to establish an interim Board to progress cross-industry issues, identified by industry. GRDC will require performance criteria: (a)   engagement of industry across the value chain;

(a)   engagement of industry across the value chain;

(b)   an operating plan, including milestones, for delivery of progress against agreed priorities identified by the Task Forces and Grains Week discussions. 2.     The GRDC Board will review progress annually. 3.     It is anticipated that at the appropriate time, the industry will take over resourcing and direction of a pan-industry organisation. 4.     Funds are to be provided from the Emerging Issues budget.”

2.   The GRDC Board will review progress annually.

3.   It is anticipated that at the appropriate time, the industry will take over resourcing and direction of a pan-industry organisation.

4.   Funds are to be provided from the Emerging Issues budget.”

Wednesday 6 April - supplementary meeting

Meeting re-opened at 2.15pm for an unscheduled meeting. Directors Johns and Lucas had left Brisbane so were not present.

“15.1       Single Vision Australia (continued)

The Chairman tabled the Grains Council Proposal “Single Vision Grains Australia”, updated from the earlier draft tabled at the Consult meeting 2 days previously. The Board considered it and the Board’s earlier resolution in detail.

B804       Resolved:

1.   GRDC will provide seed funding, over 2 years, to establish an interim Board to progress the key cross-industry issues identified (as resolved on Monday);

2.   Each Task Force will be asked to identify key issues for further work. The interim Board will then prioritise issues that it can progress immediately, and engage industry across the value chain to achieve significant, tangible results by Grains Week 2006. Other issues can then be tackled. It is anticipated that at the appropriate time industry will take over resourcing and direction of a pan-industry organisation.

3.   The interim Board needs to have a strong strategic focus and capability, with a range of skills in the following areas: •       a Chairman able to facilitate and co-ordinate activities, with a broad range of high-level contacts (potentially Murray Rogers); •       commercial and research and development expertise and to represent GRDC (Christine Hawkins); •       a leading grower, who is independent of representative organisations (to be agreed by grower groups); •       grains marketing and handling (to be suggested by AWB, ABB etc); and

the food industry, possibly Grant Latta.  

Global economics and science expertise may be achieved either by appointment directly to the interim Board or to advise the interim Board.  

GRDC will appoint each member of the interim Board in consultation with the relevant industry sectors.   The positions will be remunerated, in accordance with market rates.

4.   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - the initial need is for a company secretary with the necessary skills for the short-term role of establishing the interim Board, assisting it to decide which activities to pursue immediately, and then initiating those activities. A Chairman and then a CEO would be appointed for the remainder of the 2 years of GRDC seed funding. Suggested candidates for the CEO were [names of potential candidates deleted].

5.   GRDC funding is to be from the emerging issues budget, with as much as possible coming from the 2004/2005 budget. The interim Board will also need to secure long-term industry funding. GRDC can then continue to co-invest as an industry participant.

6.   By Grains Week 2006 the interim Board will need to achieve significant and tangible outcomes for each of the identified issues, including: •       establishing which issues it wishes to address; •       setting up projects to address (analyse) the issues; •       delivering solutions to the issues, that can be adopted by industry, and measures for adoption of those solutions; •       communication to growers, possibly through Grower Updates, and to other industry sectors, with a view to obtaining consensus on solutions, or at least improved understanding of the options; •       clear evidence that all industry sectors are committed to the Single Vision concept, including funding for the ongoing work; and

a draft business plan for ongoing work.  

7.   Governance - GRDC will provide funding under a research agreement with tight accountability requirements. The interim Board will need to provide an operating plan, with milestones setting out how it will address each of the identified issues, and deliver progress reports against those milestones.

8.   GRDC will review progress after 12 months.

Actions arising:

1.   Director Hawkins is to contact Chris Vickers (Egon Zehnder) about market daily rates for the interim Board. Peter is to ask Hays the same question.

2.   The Chairman is to ask [potential candidate about possible remuneration].

3.   [text deleted because not relevant to question]

4.   [text deleted because not relevant to question]

5.   [text deleted because not relevant to question]

6.   Management and the Chairman are to develop a process for appointment of the Chairman and members of the interim Board, and appointment of the CEO.”

GRDC Board meeting on 8 June 2005 - Item 18.1

“18.1       Single Vision Grains Australia (SVGA)

The Chairman advised that GRDC has sent an information package to the nominated directors of the Interim Board of SVGA, with an invitation to join the Interim Board. He reported that GCA had met yesterday in Melbourne, and apparently had endorsed a different proposal published on the GCA website.

The Board discussed at length how to resolve the continuing difference in views between GRDC and at least part of the GCA over this issue, and the potential risks arising from the differences continuing. The Board confirmed its support for the approach it took at Grains Week, namely of an Interim Board only for SVGA, and not a separate legal entity at this stage.

Actions arising:

1.   Mr Pittar is to brief the Minister’s office. The Chairman will also mention the issue in his discussions with the Minister’s office.

2.   The Managing Director is to prepare a summary of how the SVGA Interim Board addresses GCA’s proposals over the course of the last year.

3.   The letter to the Minister reporting the outcomes of this Board meeting is to note that GRDC has, consistent with its agreement with GCA at Grains Week, approached potential SVGA Interim Board members and asked for their response by 20 June.

4.   The Chairman is to approach Murray Jones (GCA) by email, inviting him to present to the first meeting of the SVGA Interim Board.”

GRDC Board meeting on 28 and 29 July 2005 - Items 10.18, last dot point of Item 11.2

“Item 18 Other Business - Single Vision

GCA objected to use of the words “Single Vision Grains Australia” so “Single Vision Implementation Board” will be used instead. The first meeting of the Single Vision Implementation Board is to be held on 16 August in Canberra.

11.2 Managing Director’s report

The Managing Director updated on matters covered in his Board paper including:

   •       GM issues: the Board discussed who should be responsible for the management/co-ordination of GM issues. The Board considered the issue should be passed to the Single Vision Implementation Board. GRDC should be at arms length, as it is an issue for the grains industry, not the GRDC.

Action arising: discuss co-ordination of grains industry common approach to GM issues with Single Vision interim board, to pass task to it.”

GRDC board meeting on 7 September 2005 -first dot point of Item 6.2

“6.2         Managing Director’s report

The Managing Director updated on matters covered in his Board paper. Discussion included:

   •       Single Vision - the Managing Director advised that implementation is proceeding well.”

GRDC Board meeting on 8 February 2006 - first dot point of Item 4.1

“4.1         Chairman’s report

The Chairman reported on:

   •       Single Vision progress, particularly the forthcoming meeting of major industry participants to discuss grains marketing;”

GRDC Board meeting on 4 April 2006 - Item 12.

“12.         SingleVision update on progress

Murray Rogers (Single Vision Chairman), Christine Hawkins and Ian MacKinnon (Single Vision Board members), Selwyn Snell (Chief Executive Officer) and Matt Kealley (Business Development Officer) joined the meeting. Murray Rogers spoke to a PowerPoint presentation (distributed after the meeting) and outlined Single Vision’s progress and current issues, including:

   •       export marketing structures

   •       biotechnology and genetically modified organisms

   •       biofuels

The meeting discussed the current issues in detail and noted that the wheat marketing structures project:

(a)           was requested by industry and was to involve detailed consultation with industry;

(b)           must be consistent with the PIERD Act; and

(c)           must develop a range of options.

Mr Rogers outlined the status of Single Vision’s budget (in 2005-2006 it will spend $936,000 of the $1 million budget) and undertook to provide GRDC with detailed reports of expenditure.

The Board noted the presentation. This report to the Board satisfied one of SVGA’s reporting obligations to GRDC.

Action arising: Vic Dobos is to arrange for posters and photos to be sent to Single Vision for use in its office.”

GRDC Board meeting on 7 June 2006 - Item 7

(Minutes are not yet available, so are not attached).