Ian Macfarlane to take the helm at Queensland Resources Council

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > News > Ian Macfarlane to take the helm at Queensland Resources Council

The Queensland Resources Council’s next Chief Executive will be former long-serving federal minister Mr Ian Macfarlane.

In announcing this appointment, incoming president of the Queensland Resources Council, Rag Udd, said that the board of the Queensland Resources Council was delighted to have secured the services of someone of the calibre of Ian Macfarlane.

‘Ian has had a distinguished career in the federal parliament and for most of that time served as a Minister or shadow Minister in portfolios which included responsibility for the resources sector,’ Mr Udd said.

‘Ian is much admired in the resources sector for his deep knowledge of and affinity for the sector. He has proven himself to be bipartisan in his approach to policy and advocacy.

‘Ian brings to the role a deep knowledge of bureaucracy, government and industry players, which means that he will be able to hit the ground running.’

Mr Udd said that Mr Macfarlane had extensive experience working in the industry association space. Prior to his 18 year career in federal politics, Ian spent nearly seven years as president of the Grain Growers Association in Queensland.

Mr Macfarlane said that, after a brief interlude since he retired from politics earlier this year, he was well and truly ready to tackle the challenges facing the resources sector in Queensland.

‘The Queensland Resources Council is a highly respected industry peak body on both sides of politics and throughout the wider community and I am honoured to be asked to build on the excellent work of outgoing Chief Executive Michael Roche,’ Mr Macfarlane said.

Mr Udd said that an induction and handover process will commence next month and Mr Macfarlane will formally take over as QRC Chief Executive on 17 November.

Queensland Resources Council Media Release, 26 September 2016