Disclosure of Interests

WEA takes the issue of the disclosure and subsequent management of any conflicts of interest seriously, and has adopted rigorous corporate protocols in respect of such matters.

WEA members are appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and are required to have substantial experience or knowledge and significant standing in at least one of the following fields (as detailed in section 41 of the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008): international trade, international marketing, commodity trading, foreign exchange trading, finance, economics, regulation, public policy, business, law, grain production or grain handling.

The Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008 (the Act) requires WEA members to declare to the Minister any interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflicts, or could conflict with the proper performance of their duties. All members submitted a disclosure of interests notice to the Minister.

WEA has adopted the use of formal standing written notices in which members disclose any interests that may possibly conflict with their responsibilities as a WEA member. Members update these standing declarations whenever there is a relevant change in their circumstances, and all are formally reviewed annually.

In addition, at the commencement of each meeting members declare any interests that might conflict with an item scheduled for discussion. Where such a disclosure is made the other members make a determination as to whether to allow the particular member to participate:

in deliberations in relation to the relevant matter
in making a decision in respect to the matter.

The disclosure of interest and related WEA determination are recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

The above corporate protocols ensure any interests of members that could conflict with their responsibilities as a member are both indentified and appropriately considered before WEA undertakes its responsibilities as a decision-making entity.

For further information on WEA’s service commitments, refer to the Client Service Charter.

To provide feedback on how WEA manages potential conflict of interest or any other matter, please contact us.