Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Chairman Ian McLachlan made the following statement today:
“Normally I don't make public statements regarding candidates for the AWI Board during the elections, but this year I feel I should say something.
“I will be supporting Dr Kevin Bell of Western Australia and Hugh Nivison of New South Wales, who have been excellent Board members; and Robert Pietsch, the just-retired Chairman of WoolProducers Australia.
“Failing them, Peter Sykes, who has been on the Board now for some six years, and Roger Fletcher. These are all good candidates for the AWI Board.
“I will be voting against Chick Olsson. In my view he has put about misinformation about the industry and AWI during this election, and he tends to support one position one minute, then the opposite position the next.
“Chick Olsson's recent statements about extending the 2010 deadline and legislation on mulesing expose his credentials; as he supported the 2010 deadline when it was made, and it was he who discussed legislation in his agreement with PETA.
“With the integration of the two companies underway, the last thing we need is a divisive Board. We all need to be working in the same direction.
“If people are still unsure, then they can send in the formal Appointment of Proxy form, leaving the proxy vote open for the Chairman of the meeting to exercise. I will then vote against Mr Olsson for the reasons I have stated.
“As I have said, I have thought long and hard about this, and I normally I leave it to the candidates, but as the Chairman of the company I feel I need to let shareholders know my views on this important election before the event, and give them a chance to take some action.
“I feel that I should make this recommendation known before the vote rather after the vote as I have done in the past, for the reasons above.”
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
marketing@alchempro.com
