How much do you value R&D and marketing?
WoolPoll voting begins on 20 September. It is woolgrowers’ opportunity to have their say on the level of collective investment in research, development (R&D) and marketing to take advantage of the opportunities and address the threats faced by the Australian wool industry.
Established by the Australian Government in 2001, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is the research, development (R&D) and marketing organisation for the Australian wool industry. AWI invests along the global supply chain for Australian wool – from woolgrowers through to retailers.
AWI’s marketing arm is The Woolmark Company, so woolgrowers own one of the world’s most respected and recognised fashion logos which is celebrating its 60th birthday this year.
AWI investments are funded primarily through a wool levy paid by Australian woolgrowers.
What is WoolPoll?
WoolPoll is a poll of eligible wool levy payers, conducted every three years, to determine the levy rate paid to AWI for industry R&D and marketing. Currently the levy rate is 1.5% (of the sale price woolgrowers receive for their shorn greasy wool).
At WoolPoll 2024, eligible woolgrowers are asked to consider four levy rate options: 0% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0%. They can vote for one or more levy rates in order of preference.
The levy rate that receives the highest number of votes will be paid by all woolgrowers for the next three years (2025/26 – 2027/28). The levy rate takes effect from 1 July 2025.
Why vote?
WoolPoll is the opportunity for levy payers to directly influence how much funding AWI will receive to deliver R&D and marketing services for the Australian wool industry.
Who can vote?
If you have paid $100 or more in wool levies over the previous three financial years, you will be eligible to vote in WoolPoll. For each $100 of levy paid, you are entitled to one vote. You will have been notified of your voting entitlement in August.
When is WoolPoll?
September: Eligible wool levy payers will receive their voting papers and a Voter Information Memorandum containing details about how AWI proposes to invest the levy funds at each of the levy rate options and AWI’s recommendation.
Monday 20 September: Voting opens. Voting will be by mail, fax or online – as per the instructions that will be sent with the voting papers.
Friday 1 November: Voting closes at 5pm (AEDT).
Friday 15 November: The WoolPoll result will be announced at AWI’s Annual General Meeting. The levy rate takes effect from 1 July 2025.
More information: www.wool.com/woolpoll
The Voter Information Memorandum provides key insights about what each levy rate option will deliver to the industry. It has been authorised by the independent WoolPoll Panel and is being sent to woolgrowers in September; it is also available at www.wool.com/woolpoll.
Message from the independent WoolPoll Panel Chair to woolgrowers
Rich Keniry, woolgrower and Chair of the WoolPoll Panel.
Your fibre. Your future. Your call.
As Chairman of the independent WoolPoll Panel 2024, I encourage all woolgrowers to have their say on the future of Australia’s wool industry.
As a woolgrower, you have an opportunity every three years to decide how much of your money is invested by AWI back into the industry through research, development and marketing activities to ensure that your wool remains the best in the business. Don’t let someone else decide for you.
WoolPoll 2024 is your chance to have your say to help determine what the industry levy rate should be and what you will get back in return.
“The Voter Information Memorandum, which you will receive in September, has been streamlined to provide you with the information you need in a clear and concise way, with the actual voting process being very quick.
Woolgrowers – big or small, it’s your call!
The WoolPoll Panel
The role of the WoolPoll Panel is to confirm that the draft forms and the process for conducting the WoolPoll ballot have been examined and assessed as appropriate. Its role is not to tell woolgrowers what rate to support. The members of the 2024 WoolPoll Panel are:
- Rich Keniry (Cumnock, NSW), Panel Chair
- Alexander Lewis (Redesdale, Vic)
- Marcus Sounness (Amelup, WA)
- Dr Luke Rapley (Ross, Tas)
- Tom Moxham (Nyngan, NSW)
- Chris Kemp (Merriwa, NSW)
- Di Martin (Baratta, SA)
- David Young (Bookham, NSW)
- Jo Harris, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Neil Jackson, AWI Board member.
This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
