Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation Act 1993

This Act creates the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation (AWRPO), a statutory authority that merges wool marketing and research functions into a single body.

What it does:

• Promotes wool: Runs advertising campaigns, technical support programs, and international marketing to increase demand for Australian wool and wool products
• Funds research: Manages the Wool Research and Development Fund, financing scientific studies to improve wool production, processing, environmental sustainability, and chemical residue monitoring
• Collects funding: Receives money from a wool tax paid by producers (based on a percentage of wool sale values determined by postal ballots) and matching Commonwealth contributions
• Accountability to growers: Holds annual general meetings where wool-tax payers can review financial statements, question the board, and vote on motions including votes of no confidence in the Organisation
• Governance: Establishes a 9-member board (Chairperson, Managing Director, Commonwealth representative, and 6 industry experts) appointed via selection committees
• Workplace equity: Requires comprehensive equal employment opportunity programs targeting women, Indigenous Australians, Torres Strait Islanders, migrants with non-English backgrounds, and people with disabilities