Australian Government: Grains Research and Development CororationGRDC Annual Report 2006-2007

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Advisory panels and program teams

The panel system is a key strength of the GRDC. The Board makes decisions with the support of a national advisory panel, informed by the knowledge and experience of three regional panels and four program teams. This network helps to ensure that GRDC investments are directed towards the interests of all its stakeholders and the strategic objectives of its programs.

National Panel

The National Panel comprises the three regional panel chairs the GRDC's Managing Director and the GRDC's executive managers. The National Panel addresses national R&D priorities across the GRDC's investment portfolio and advances recommendations to the Board.

In assisting the Board, the panel's key advice functions include reviewing program investment plans; reviewing budget development and allocations; recommending strategic changes in allocations; arbitrating issues of investment allocation and investment strategy; and endorse review recommendations. The National Panel also plays a major role in communicating with research partners and stakeholders.

Regional panels

The GRDC's three regional panels are composed of grain growers, agribusiness representatives, researchers and the GRDC executive managers, with provision for other industry experts to participate as appropriate. Regional panel members also participate as members of GRDC program teams.

The regional panels develop and monitor the strategic direction for the regional elements of the GRDC's R&D investments (details of the regions are provided in Figure 8 in Part 1).

Supported by the GRDC program managers, panel members assess investment proposals based on selection criteria, and undertake risk analysis of the potential investments. The panels are also responsible for ensuring that investment strategy is responding to the regional and national priorities of stakeholders.

The GRDC Operating Manual covers roles, responsibilities, codes of conduct, remuneration and selection guidelines for panel members. Panel members as at 30 June 2007 are listed in Table 11.

Table 11 Regional panel membership as at 30 June 2007
  Chair Deputy Chair Members
Northern Regional Panel Ian Buss Di Bentley a

James Clark
David Freebairn
John Harvey
Richard Heath
Chris Joseph
Iftikhar Mostafa
John Sheppard
Graeme Wright
Bill Yates

Southern Regional Panel

David Shannon

Mark Peoples

Jeffrey Arney
Andrew Barr
Merna Curnow
Vic Dobos
Barbara Howlett
Vince Logan
Graeme Lukey
Allan Mayfield
Andrew Rice
David Wolfenden

Western Regional Panel

Neil Young b

Robert Belford

Ralph Burnett
David Capper
Merrie Carlshausen
Ben Curtis
Greg Fraser
Richard Oliver
Gavin Whiteley
Ruth Young

a Resigned on 10 June 2007.

b Replacing Dale Baker, who retired on 31 December 2006.

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Program teams

Each of the GRDC's four program teams comprises program managers, panel members from each of the three regions, an executive manager and a panel chair. Depending on the size and complexity of the portfolio, some program team comprise several subprograms (as shown in Table 12).

Each program team is responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing the investment strategy within its output group. Other activities include evaluating projects, prioritising potential investment opportunities and monitoring project performance.

Table 12 Program teams as at 30 June 2007
Program team Subprogram teams
Varieties
  • Pre-breeding
  • Breeding
Practices
  • Agronomy soils and environment
  • Crop protection
  • Validation and integration
  • Extension and grower programs
New Products
  • New grain products and new farm products
Communication & Customer Services
  • Capacity building and corporate communications

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