The Queensland Government has appointed an Interim Food Farmers’ Commissioner to become the point of contact on issues impacting farmers.
Charles Burke has been appointed to the position, bringing with him more than two decades of experience in agribusiness and service-focused enterprises.
Mr Burke is a former CEO of AgForce Queensland and the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council, and former Vice President of the National Farmers’ Federation.
He helped establish drought program reform as a former Co-Chair of the Queensland Government Drought Program Review.
“I am honoured that the Queensland Government has put its faith in me to be the first Food Farmers’ Commissioner, to navigate a pathway in this challenging environment,” Mr Burke said.
“This critical role represents an enormous opportunity to improve price transparency, create a safe environment for complaints to be considered and acted on, and redress the imbalance between suppliers and supermarkets.
“I am very much looking forward to getting started in this important role.”
Mr Burke joined Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner and Supermarket Pricing Select Committee Chair and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith in his first regional visit as Commissioner, speaking with growers in Bundaberg.
“I look forward to working closely with Mr Burke in his new role as interim Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner,” Minister Furner said.
“Mr Burke’s is very highly regarded in the agriculture industry and I am confident he will act as a powerful advocate for farmers and shoppers.”
The role will be a point of contact for matters affecting farmers, provide advice to farmers in supporting their relationships with supermarkets, and advise the government on arrangements across supermarkets and their suppliers.
The creation of the Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner position was a recommendation by the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee. All eight recommendations by the committee were accepted by the Miles Government.
The Committee examined the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices, after Queensland farmers and shoppers said they were being ripped off at the farmgate and checkout respectively.
The appointment of the new Commissioner is for an initial period of 12 months to set up the new functions.
