News
New CEO to drive rural research agenda - 28 July 2009
The Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations Chairs today announced the appointment of Ms Su McCluskey as the council’s inaugural chief executive officer.
The Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations Chairs today announced the appointment of Ms Su McCluskey as the council’s inaugural chief executive officer.
“Ms McCluskey has broad policy experience, especially in taxation, regulatory and rural affairs, and is superbly qualified to take on this role and drive the Council’s strategic direction,” said Mr Enzo Allara, chairman of the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations Chairs.
“As chief executive, Ms McCluskey will help drive the Council’s agenda - assessing the economic, environmental and social impacts of RDC investments, identifying opportunities for cross-RDC collaboration, supporting national R&D planning and enhancing efficiency,” Mr Allara said.
Ms McCluskey is the immediate past Executive Director of the Office of Best Practice Regulation where she was responsible for implementation of the Australian Government’s regulatory reform agenda including a new regulatory framework, strengthened impact assessment and review mechanisms.
She was also a Consultant Specialist Advisor in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources’ Office of Small Business.
Prior to this, Ms McCluskey held senior policy positions with the Business Council of Australia, the National Farmers Federation and the Australian Taxation Office.
Ms McCluskey will take up her appointment on 26 August 2009.
Australia’s 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations conduct research across every part of Australian primary industry and are funded by a co-investment model based on industry levies and government money. In 2008 this funding was worth about $540 million, including $230 million from government.
In December 2008, an independent evaluation found that for a group of 32 randomly selected RDC projects, every $1 invested delivered $11 in total benefits to farmers and the wider community.
The Council’s next round of 30 Benefit-Cost Analyses will be finalised over the coming two months. This will provide more information on the return to industry and taxpayers from the funds invested by the RDCs.
Contact: Matthew Abbott, 0402 543 128.
